By: E&P Staff St. Petersburg Times Editor/CEO/Chairman Paul Tash told the paper's employees in a Monday-morning memo that due to staffers' positive response to the company's early retirement incentives, general layoffs can be avoided for the time being.
The news was first reported Monday on The Feed, the St. Petersburg Times? blog on ?TV, media and modern life? by TV/media critic Eric Deggans.
CEO Tash said 200 employees -- 150 full-time and 50 part-time -- accepted the enhanced retirement benefit, or 40% of staffers aged 50 and up with five years' service or more. Those who take the retirement package will depart the company by month's end.
"Because participation was so strong, we can avoid the general layoffs I warned might be coming at the end of the 5-plus-5 plan," Tash wrote. "Some staffers will be asked to take on new responsibilities or assignments, but at least for the foresseable future, we will not have the more sweeping measures that often are employed in such a harsh business climate."
Deggans reported that among those departing the Times include Editor of Editorials Phil Gailey, business columnist Helen Huntley, business writer Tom Zucco, and former food critic Chris Sherman.
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