Friday, April 18, 2008
Al Diamon
More Layoffs at Blethen
In the wake of layoffs last month at the Portland Press Herald, the company announced today that it’s cutting five full-time and four part-time jobs at the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and the Morning Sentinel in Waterville. In a memo to employees, John Christie, publisher of the two papers, said the cuts were not related to the decision to put the Blethen papers up for sale. “Declining sales, rising expenses and a shortfall in cash flow would need to be dealt with regardless of present circumstances,” Christie wrote.
The memo doesn’t say what positions are being eliminated or if the cuts will affect the editorial staff. Union officials did not immediately respond to e-mails asking for more information. Christie did say that one or two of those people hit by the “expense reduction measures” may be able to shift to other jobs in related areas.
In addition to the layoffs, he said the company is also changing work assignments for an unspecified number of employees.
— Filed April 18, 2008
Al Diamon can be e-mailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 in Permalink
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Reader Comments:
Here's an update: According to Deborah Packard of Local 128 of the Newspaper Guild, the layoffs cost the Morning Sentinel one full-time photographer, Jeff Pouland, who's also a member of the negotiating team for union. There were no cuts in the Kennebec Journal newsroom, which is represented
by the Communications Workers of America.
Al Diamon
April 19, 2008