Raleigh 'News & Observer' Puts Buyouts Back on Table

Posted Wednesday, September 3, 2008 12:00 am

By: E&P Staff The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., on Wednesday put voluntary buyouts on the table for some 320 employees, including the entire newsroom.

The number of eliminations sought represents approximately 40% of The News & Observer Publishing Co.?s workers.

Publisher Orage Quarles III told the paper the company expects "a relatively small percentage" of those offered buyouts to apply for them. The company may limit the number of applications accepted, he added.

This latest round of buyouts is the third significant cost-cutting move at the News & Observer in the last five months. More than 30 employees accepted voluntary buyouts offered back in April.

In June, the Raleigh daily enacted layoffs that affected 70 employees, and a one-year wage freeze is currently in effect.

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Raleigh 'News & Observer' Puts Buyouts Back on Table

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