More Layoffs at Blethen
Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 04/18/2008 - 2:53pm.
The Blethen Maine Newspapers are again shedding staff.
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.
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.
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