Union Leaders at 'The Sun' Criticize 45-Person Cutback

By: Joe Strupp Union leaders at The Sun of Baltimore criticized the recent decision to cut 45 staffers, including four through layoffs, in a statement released Wednesday that called the reductions "a shortsighted move that further damages Maryland's largest newspaper."

In the release from the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild, which is currently in contract talks with The Sun, union leaders noted that the paper's workforce had already been cut by 22% since 2003 before the recent buyouts and layoffs that included several departments.

"We are beginning to worry about the future of The Sun," Cet Parks, Chief Guild Negotiator said in the statement. "Tribune is cutting to the bone and fixated only of the bottom line. These cuts will take a toll on the paper and do not bode well for its future."

The union also complained that the cuts are affecting longtime reporters and some of the paper's most well-respected designers and production people. "The Sun's institutional knowledge is slipping out the door," said Bill Salganik, President of the Guild, which represents 480 employees. "We are losing a tremendous amount of talent. Quality is imperative, yet with these cuts Tribune compromises quality. Our readers and the state at large deserve much better."

Sun officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The entire release is posted below.

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Tribune Co.'s decision to lay off four Baltimore Sun employees and buyout another 41, including the paper's most veteran journalists, is a shortsighted move that further damages Maryland's largest newspaper, members of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild said today.

Guild officials, who represent 480 Baltimore Sun employees, said they are alarmed at the deep cuts which come at a time when union members have asked the company to invest in The Sun to save it rather than cut it to the bone. Before last week's cuts, The Sun's work force had already been reduced by 22 percent since 2003 through a combination of buyouts and departures, while employee turnover reached 61 percent over the same period.

"We are beginning to worry about the future of The Sun," said Cet Parks, Chief Negotiator for the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild. "Tribune is cutting to the bone and fixated only of the bottom line. These cuts will take a toll on the paper and do not bode well for its future."

Three of the laid off employees are creative advertising designers. Many of the others who took buyouts are among The Sun's most experienced and respected journalists. They include veteran sports columnist and author John Eisenberg; drama critic J. Wynn Rousuck, who covered theater for more than two decades; Carl Schoettler, former foreign correspondent and the longest-tenured writer with 48 years at the paper; Paul McMullen, a 25-year veteran who covered the summer Olympics and college sports; and Linell Smith, award winning feature writer with more than three decades of experience.

"The Sun's institutional knowledge is slipping out the door," said Bill Salganik, President of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild, which represents reporters, photographers, columnists, copy editors, designers, advertising personnel, sales assistants, customer service representatives, finance specialists, productions and systems support, all jobs that are essential to the daily operation of The Sun. "We are losing a tremendous amount of talent. Quality is imperative, yet with these cuts Tribune compromises quality. Our readers and the state at large deserve much better."

The layoffs and cutbacks come amid contract negotiations between the Guild and Tribune. Negotiations began May 16 and the contract expires June 24. Guild leaders have urged the company to work together because more can be accomplished through cooperation.

"Layoffs and further reduction in staff is not the answer," said Michael Hill, Guild unit chair at The Sun. "We have already seen too many good jobs lost, too many foreign bureaus closed, too many jobs sent overseas. Management needs to rethink its mission and work with us to build The Sun so it remains one of the greatest newspapers in America.

"The only way we can 'Save Our Sun' is by investing in the newspaper and its people and by working to attract and retain the best talent so we can produce the best possible newspaper for our readers." Hill continued. "Too many talented people have already left the paper. We can't afford to lose anymore."