Times Union facing up to 45 job cuts
Posted by Simon Day on June 19, 2009 at 11:49 AM
The Times Union has reported that publisher Hearst Corp.'s mission to cut operating costs by 20 percent will see up to 45 job lost at the newspaper, the Daily Gazette reported on Friday. Albany Newspaper Guild President Tim O'Brien said the union would take court action over any layoffs.
"We believe that legally we will have a strong case if they go forward," he said.
"We believe that legally we will have a strong case if they go forward," he said.
In a replica of recent events at the Boston Globe, Publisher George Hearst declared the Guild's rejection of the company's contract offer on Monday an impasse.
"We made our best and final offer. We have to move forward now and try to make smart decisions on how to lean-up the cost of the business," Hearst said.
Job cuts would affect both union and nonunion staff and would include editorial and advertising employees, he said.
O'Brien expressed concern for the newspaper senior employees who represent a large portion of the pay roll and are close to retirement.
"If someone is close to but not yet 55, they could lose half of their pension if they are laid off now," he said.
Hearst said that those who would be considered for redundancy would be evaluated individually based on production and without prejudice.
"We are going to have to make tough decisions. We will be looking at level of performance," Hearst said.
"The company is not targeting employees relative to age, race, or ethnicity. We will be selecting wisely based on the needs of the business and the skills and capacity of the employee."
O'Brien expressed distaste at the company's approach to the job cuts, labeling the process as a "clearly punitive" reaction to the rejection of the contract offer.
"We are willing to meet the company halfway. There are other newspapers in worse condition than the Times Union that have reached agreements with their employees," he said.
O'Brien said the union wants to continue negotiations and was aware that lay offs could be unavoidable. The Guild will meet with Hearst Corp. next week to discuss the basis of selection of potential employees to be cut.
O'Brien said the meeting will mark the beginning of a 45-day period required to negotiate layoffs.
"We made our best and final offer. We have to move forward now and try to make smart decisions on how to lean-up the cost of the business," Hearst said.
Job cuts would affect both union and nonunion staff and would include editorial and advertising employees, he said.
O'Brien expressed concern for the newspaper senior employees who represent a large portion of the pay roll and are close to retirement.
"If someone is close to but not yet 55, they could lose half of their pension if they are laid off now," he said.
Hearst said that those who would be considered for redundancy would be evaluated individually based on production and without prejudice.
"We are going to have to make tough decisions. We will be looking at level of performance," Hearst said.
"The company is not targeting employees relative to age, race, or ethnicity. We will be selecting wisely based on the needs of the business and the skills and capacity of the employee."
O'Brien expressed distaste at the company's approach to the job cuts, labeling the process as a "clearly punitive" reaction to the rejection of the contract offer.
"We are willing to meet the company halfway. There are other newspapers in worse condition than the Times Union that have reached agreements with their employees," he said.
O'Brien said the union wants to continue negotiations and was aware that lay offs could be unavoidable. The Guild will meet with Hearst Corp. next week to discuss the basis of selection of potential employees to be cut.
O'Brien said the meeting will mark the beginning of a 45-day period required to negotiate layoffs.
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