40 Newspaper Jobs Eliminated in Central New York

By: E&P Staff Gannett Co.'s 10% personnel cut has seen the elimination of 40 newspaper jobs in central New York this week. The Press & Sun-Bulletin in Vestal, the Star-Gazette in Elmira, and The Ithaca Journal all experienced cuts.

"Despite promising gains from new local advertising programs, many of our advertisers are being impacted by what is now officially a recession," Sherman Bodner, president and publisher of the three newspapers, told PressConnects.com. "Once again we have to look at reducing expenses."

Some staffers were laid off, while others accepted voluntary resignations, according to the report. Some previously open positions will remain unfilled, as another cost-saving effort. Newsprint, distribution, and other expenses have also been modified.

In total, between 15 and 21 employees will be laid off, PressConnects reported. All personnel leaving the newspapers, voluntarily and not, will receive severance pay of up to 26 weeks.