Layoffs Hit Richmond and Philly Papers

By: Joe Strupp New layoffs are reportedly ongoing at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News and Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.

The Times-Dispatch reported today that it laid off 18 employees Monday, "citing the economic recession and a decline in advertising revenue that has hurt newspaper publishers," according to a story. "The job cuts included staff in the newspaper's advertising, circulation, human resources, marketing, news and production departments."

"This is the unfortunate nature of a business in transition striving to transform itself in today's changing marketplace and challenging times," Thomas A. Silvestri, president and publisher of The Times-Dispatch, said in the story. "Layoffs are the hardest steps a business has to take."

The Inquirer and Daily News, meanwhile, are expected to cut 35 union jobs, according to www.philebrity.com, which cited a Philadelphia Newspaper Guild notice.

"The company informed Guild leadership this afternoon that it intends to eliminate 35 bargaining-unit jobs at the Inquirer and Daily News effective Dec. 31," the report said. "The layoffs as planned would come primarily from the newsrooms, specifically from the photo and graphic arts departments and the copy desk. The company also plans to cut six positions in advertising."

Guild officials did not immediately return calls for comment.

Philebrity even had what it claims is a list of positions to be cut, stating: "the projected Guild layoffs are as follows: ?at the Inquirer:? seven photographers, two? photo lab technicians,? three photo editors,? seven copy editors,? three graphic artists. At the Daily News: one photographer,? four part-time copy editors, ?one full-time copy editor,? one graphic artist. In advertising:? four outside sales positions,? two retail supervisor positions.

"The company has indicated it will accept volunteers in any job category but is most interested in achieving the numbers in the categories outlined above," the Web report stated. "Volunteers in those targeted categories will be accepted and will save a fellow member on a one-for-one basis based on seniority."