'Kansas City Star' to Initiate Layoffs

By: The Kansas City Star expects to lay off 150 employees as its parent company, The McClatchy Co., looks to shed about 1,600 full-time jobs.

The Star is reporting on its Web site that publisher Mark Zieman told employees of the plans in a memo Monday morning. The cuts represent about 15 percent of The Star's work force and corresponds with a 15 percent reduction McClatchy announced earlier Monday.

Zieman also told employees Monday that their wages would be reduced. Those making more than $100,000 a year will see a 10 percent cut, and those making less will have their salaries reduced by 5 percent. Wages for Star employees were frozen last fall.

McClatchy said the layoffs will begin by the end of March, and that its severance costs are estimated at around $30 million.