Posted on 11/06/2006 12:23:17 PM PST by abb
The Philadelphia Inquirer newsroom has received a request from Philadelphia Media Holdings CEO Brian Tierney.
“We’ve been asked to plan for as many as 150 people to be laid off,” says Inquirer managing editor Anne Gordon. That figure represents more than a third of the newspaper’s editorial staff.
At the end of last week Inquirer columnist Tom Ferrick had issued a memo cautioning the staff not to panic and reminding them the layoff threat had arrived during tough contract negotiations.
The Newspaper Guild, which represents Inquirer and Daily News editorial employees, is refusing to accept several of management’s contract proposals, including a plan to convert the current pension system into an employee-funded retirement plan. The two sides are now in their second 30-day extension of the old contract, which is set to expire at the end of this month.
“What you have to consider,” reads Ferrick’s letter, “is that the company is at a strategic disadvantage when it comes to its talks with the unions. It does not have the luxury of taking a long strike—perhaps not even a short strike—because it does not have the deep pockets KR once had. So, what to do? If I were running the show, what I would do is wage a fear campaign among vulnerable members to get them to bring pressure on the Guild leadership to make any and all concessions to lessen the number of layoffs.”
According to the terms of the Newspaper Guild’s current contract, layoffs require formal written notice from the company. That hasn’t happened yet, and while some people PW spoke to expect notice to come in the next several days, company spokesperson Jay Devine says, “I don’t think you’ll see formal notification this week.”
The Inquirer editorial staff has already been reduced to about 425 people, roughly 175 of whom are reporters. According to two other staffers PW spoke to with direct knowledge of the talks, eliminating 150 more staffers wouldn’t leave management with a lot of choices. For instance, because some positions are too crucial to the production process to be cut, the paper would likely be forced to lose around 75 reporters.
Because layoffs are still conducted according to seniority, reporters with as many as 10 years experience would lose their jobs. The paper’s City Hall and Harrisburg staffers would probably be eliminated. Remaining reporters who took over these assignments would need time to learn the beat and a whole new Rolodex of sources, say those with whom PW spoke.
So far the Daily News, subjected to staffing cuts for years by former owner Knight Ridder, isn’t being mentioned in the latest layoffs talks.
Newspaper Guild president Henry Holcomb says it’s unfortunate the number is being discussed publicly at all. “I think it’s irresponsible to talk about the worst-case scenario in a planning process,” says Holcomb. “And I do believe this is a scare tactic on the part of management.”
For his part, Philadelphia Media Holdings CEO Brian Tierney wrote a memo a couple of weeks back, indicating the new owners expected a revenue decline when they purchased the paper, but they didn’t expect the numbers to drop so fast, particularly in national advertising.
Inquirer editor Amanda Bennett did not return calls requesting comment for this story.
"There was a land of Publishers and Editors called the Newspaper Business... Here in this pretty world Journalism took its last bow... Here was the last ever to be seen of Reporters and their Enablers, of Anonymous Sources and of Stringers... Look for it only in books, for it is no more than a dream remembered. A Civilization Gone With the Wind..."
With apologies to Margaret Mitchell...
Ping
http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=11991
Topic: Memos Sent to Romenesko
Date/Time: 11/6/2006 3:18:05 PM
Title: Inky writer Ferrick on layoff rumors
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
From: Ferrick, Tom
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 1:26 PM
Subject: To Inquirer Guild Members
To: Inquirer Guild Members
From: Tom Ferrick
Date: Nov. 2nd,
Folks:
The good thing about getting the 30-day extension is that it gives the unions and company extra time to reach agreement on their contracts.
The bad news about the 30-day extension is that it gives the company lots of time to fear monger in a bid to divide and conquer. I thought they would wait until they had agreements with the crafts union to do it, but I guess they couldn’t resist the temptation to get a head start.
When I left yesterday, the rumor was 60-80 layoffs. This morning, working at home, I heard 100. By the time I walked into the office, I had gone to 150. I’m afraid to leave my desk, lest the number escalate to 200.
What you have to consider is that the company is at a strategic disadvantage when it comes to its talks with the unions. It does not have the luxury of taking a long strike – perhaps not even a short strike – because it does not have the deep pockets KR once had. So, what to do? If I were running the show, what I would do is wage a fear campaign among vulnerable members to get them to bring pressure on the Guild leadership to make any and all concessions to lessen the number of layoffs. I would induce panic and hope it spawns division. (Sorry, my years covering politics has left me a devious mind.)
I find these tactics reprehensible, but they are like negative advertising. People use negative ads because they work. Fear works.
We are in for more of the same over the next few weeks as the talks continue. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is going to get worse day by day. I’m reminded of Hemingway’s definition of courage -- grace under pressure. We’re getting the pressure. Now, we need to show grace. I think we can do it.
As to the reality of layoffs, the company is required to give the Guild at least 15 days notice, plus negotiate over terms and conditions, bumping rights, etc. It’s a process that can take a month. The Guild has not heard any word from the company. Keep in mind that except for a handful of layoffs during the Mott Era, all RIF’s have been accomplished by buyouts. There’s no reason the company can’t do that today – but that doesn’t carry the same fear factor.
Actually, I can think of one sign that may indicate the threats are real. I’ve had differences with the current regime on some issues, but I know them to be fine journalists. I am confident some or all of the masthead people would resign rather than enact such draconian cuts. They know that cutting the staff in half over two years would destroy this paper. They got into the business to do newspapering, not to preside over a hospice-care facility. They know it would be a disaster for their employees, for our readers and advertisers (and perhaps for the principal lending bank.) So, keep an eye on the glass offices.
In the meantime, let’s take a deep breath and get back to work. I can tell you that the negotiating committee met with the federal mediator yesterday and today and they are reporting progress on significant issues.
TF
It couldn't happen to a nicer bunch
ping
The reasoning of someone not seeing reality. Hint: when circulation has dropped 200,000 and advertisers are leaving, the Rolodexs of Harrisburg reporters sort of drop off the priority list.
And if these reporters were doing such a good job why has circulation dropped 200,000?
Why does the StInquirer need all those reporters? All they do is reprint the DNC daily talking points fax.
Sounds like a fun place to work
The good news is : Kinko sold more used boxes.
Meanwhile, The Washington Times gained nearly 4 percent, improving circulation to 100,074. Dick Amberg, The Times' vice president and general manager, called the increase "a result of hard effort." "We're still not where we want to be," said Mr. Amberg, who noted that home-delivery and single-copy sales "are especially hard to acquire."
Whoa! For a second there I thought this was about the Enquirer!
Now, that really would have been a loss. Where else to get unflattering pics of overweight celebs?
Inquirer is a left wing rag. I've been reading "The Evening Bulletin" the last year or so (reincarnation of an old newpaper here in Philly). Bills itself as Philadelphia's family newspaper. On today's front page is an editorial "Ousting Santorum Would be a Monumental Mistake". Never ever, is there anything remotely conservative in the Inquirer. They've been in the tank for the democrats for as long as I can remember.
No one cares about what hollywood actors do or say anymore as nothing they do make us care one way or the other. These rags are good for nothing other than that.
God, I hope the first one out is that putz Tom Ferrick. He is pathetic.
Oh man, I thank you for reminding me about that hilarious 21-day Kerry lovefest by the Inquirer. What a bunch of morons. And they actually called Casey over Santorum a "clear choice," while Fitzpatrick over Murphy was a "close call." They even endorsed the uber-slime Bob Menendez!
Alternatively, they could accelerate the layoffs with the bare minimum severance required, and not offer buyouts. That will save a few dollars, and help out the pockets. These guys sound just like Hockey players.
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