Thousands Of Layoffs Coming At Gannett?
Gannett, America’s largest newspaper publisher, has already written down the value of its papers by almost $US6 billion and instituted mandatory furloughs this year. But it could get worse—are thousands of layoffs coming next week?
Gannett Blog is written by former Gannett reporter and editor Jim Hopkins, who—despite being paranoid and sometimes writing like a bit of a nut—does have good sources within the company. And he hears that something in the neighbourhood of 4,500 layoffs are coming next week. In reply to a question from a reader:
You ask if the layoff rumours are based on a single tip.
Answer: No.
On June 4, a source known to me (I have their name and company affiliation) sent me an e-mail. As best I can recall, the source has been 100% accurate in the past on multiple tips. The source told me that another round of layoffs “will happen on July 8.” That is the day people will be notified, they said. Middle-management will be included this time, they said. And no more new furloughs are are being scheduled for the third quarter.”
So call in sick next week.
[Gannett Blog]
Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
I heard this date a week or so ago from a family member at a Gannett paper. They've all been rightly shitting themselves for quite some time.
I got out of journalism about 5 years ago because 1) my boss was a huge Gannett company man and also a dick; and 2) it pays shit.
I still have friends that work for Gannett (at least I think they still do), and this will no doubt come as a major blow to the little town newspapers that are still afloat.
They unloaded their USA Today buildings here in DC some time back but then built the expenisve Newseum on Penn. Ave, .... hmmm.
Rumpelstilskin
Gannett employs 31,000 people. 4,500 is a lot - 14.5% - but I would bet their revenues and earnings are down more than that.
Gannett really hates newspapers, huh?
There goes all that missed reporting on a stolen teddy bear in the suburbs.
So from now on USAToday will be Garfield reruns and a large weather map?
daveyjonesisdead