Sacramento-based McClatchy owns The Bee and 29 other daily newspapers throughout the United States. Two of the key markets are in California and Florida, both of which have been seriously struck by the housing market recession.

The Bee has taken several actions to reduce costs, but Dell stated in the memo that more needed to be done, The Bee reported.

"We have avoided taking this step as long as possible," she added.

The U.S. newspaper industry has been struggling in the weakening economy. Many publishers have laid off staffers, including The Bee, the Los Angeles Times and New York Times, according to The Bee.