By: Mark Fitzgerald Houston Chronicle Publisher and President Jack Sweeney told employees this week that staff reductions, including involuntary layoffs, are coming soon.
"Operating expense has already begun to be reduced, and this will now include reductions in payroll," Sweeney wrote in a letter distributed to employees late Monday. The letter was issued as a public statement Tuesday.
The specific amount of the reduction has yet to be determined but will be achieved through a mix of actions, he added. "The work force reductions will consist of open positions that will not be filled, voluntary buyouts, involuntary layoffs, and a position reduction from contract labor and outside services," the letter said.
Sweeney said this "restructuring (of) the Chronicle's expense base" was necessary to allow reinvestment in future niche products and production extensions. The letter noted that the paper recently launched two Spanish-language products, a weekly lifestyles supplement called La Vibra and a standalone weekly called La Voz. The Chronicle itself was also redesigned in recent weeks.
"We are working hard to adjust the cost side of our business," Sweeney wrote. "We will not compromise our commitment to quality journalism and service to our advertisers."
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