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Providence Journal / Bob Thayer
A portion of the newsroom of The Providence Journal in 2004.

Providence Journal lays off 31. In today's Journal, Neil Downing makes public what we've known for two weeks:

PROVIDENCE -- The Providence Journal Co. is laying off 31 people -- about 4 percent of the company's total work force -- as part of a broader cost-cutting effort by its parent company, A.H. Belo Corp. of Dallas.

Overall, 25 part-time workers and 6 full-time Journal workers are to be laid off, effective today, said Howard G. Sutton, the Journal Co.'s chairman, publisher, president and chief executive officer.

They will receive severance ranging from 2 weeks pay to 35 weeks pay, depending on their years of service, Sutton said.

A.H. Belo announced plans in July to cut $50 million in expenses, partly by reducing the work force at its newspapers in Providence, Dallas, and Riverside, Calif.

The job cuts are the result of a broad restructuring that A.H. Belo said it was implementing as it faces an "unprecedentedly adverse business environment in the newspaper industry."

A.H. Belo said it planned to eliminate the equivalent of about 500 full-time jobs company wide, representing about 14 percent of its overall work force of about 3,570 employees.

At the time, A.H. Belo said it hoped to achieve the targeted job cuts through voluntary severance offers. If not enough workers agreed to the buyout, the company said it would have to resort to layoffs.

Overall, more than 400 A.H. Belo employees wound up taking the buyout, including 22 at the Providence Journal, 270 at the Dallas Morning News and 120 at the Press-Enterprise in Riverside, Calif., but the total was less than sought.

As a result, A.H. Belo is laying off 50 employees at the Dallas Morning News, about 30 at The Press-Enterprise and 31 at the Providence Journal...

The story continues, including a mention that this is believed to be the first time in the newspaper's history that the company has laid off news employees. The Providence Journal was founded in 1829, and operated independently until its sale to Dallas-based Belo in 1996.

By contract with the Providence Newspaper Guild, all full-time employees have seniority over all part-time employees, many of whom are working mothers. This has resulted in a disproportionate number of women -- 7 men, 21 women -- being cut from the news staff. Three female managers are also laid off. There are more details in the Providence Newspaper Guild newsletters.

Some of these Rhode Islanders have worked at the Journal for decades. I've worked with most of them over the years as colleagues and friends, and losing them is more than personally wrenching: Some of Rhode Island's best journalists will be filing for unemployment tomorrow. Twelve other news staffers who took the buyout have already left. Their bare, empty desks have created yawning holes in the newsroom; their good work no longer informs the daily news report.

A restructuring of the news operation is to follow, according to publisher Howard Sutton.

Goodbye, Brandie, Kathy, Karen, Pat, Laura, Fran, Pam, Tom, Dan, Fran, Millie, Willie (Marty), Kate, Linda, Jean, Doreen, Sara, Sarah, Cynthia, Steve, Meaghan, Judith, David, Ellen, Kelli...

No matter what the stock market does today, it's Black Friday on Fountain Street.

Steely Dan, Black Friday

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 Tags  Black Friday newspaper newsroom

Comments

Silas Scarborough said:

It's very saddening to see these people losing their jobs, particularly given that newspapers are in the same straits everywhere. Hopefully in the rush to get everything online, it won't be forgotten that people like to spread out that morning newspaper while they have their breakfast, not just from habit but rather because they will find things more quickly than any other way.

Link | October 10, 2008 2:29 PM
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pat said:

Dear, Dear Sheila,

My heart goes out to you and all you friends and colleagues.
It's a sad situation and a loss to The Providence Journal and the citizens of RI.

With Warmest Regards and Best Wishes,
Pat

Link | October 10, 2008 6:16 PM
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RI'er said:

WJAR had layoffs/buyouts in June... the quality of news suffers when things like this happen to multiple news organizations in one community. And those left after this happens not only miss their coworkers, but end up having to stretch to do more work.... so sorry to hear about these.

Link | October 11, 2008 5:57 AM
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Donna said:

In all my 23+ years working for The Journal/projo.com, I've never felt this empty.
I'd like to add Gail to the list above. She is one of the hardest workers The Journal will ever know. And they let her go. I've rarely seen this woman come into work without a smile on her face; a contagious smile at that. Thank you, Gail, for the light you brought into the newsroom.
Selfishly enough, I'm glad I was on vacation during "Black Friday". I couldn't bear the thought of having to say good bye in person. Yet again.

Thank you, Sheila, for giving us this chance to some how share our thoughts, feelings and good byes.

Thank you Kathy D. for saving my butt many times.
Thank you Kathy H. for your sweetness and intelligent conversations.
Thank you Steve for all the years I've seen you grow and shared a laugh.
Thank you Tom for getting to really know you after all these years.
Thank you Brandie for all your bright "good mornings". The secret is, I really did enjoy them, you and that smile. Good luck to you, kid.
Thank you Laura for being you. Seems like every time we had a chance to actually work together, The Journal goes and messes it up! I have TWO words for you. Miss you. ;o)
Thank you Doreen. Another one who always knew how to bring a smile to my face.

If I've left someone out, it wasn't intentional. It's still shell shock.

Thank you all.

Link | October 11, 2008 7:23 AM
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Sheila Lennon said:

There were many cakes -- 25 pounds of cake came to the Journal yesterday. Autumn colors on the frosting, medium brown with orange trim. Different cakes for different shifts, for Sports, for Features. It is the same ritual for promotions, awards, voluntary departures: The honorees gather facing the cake, people fan out by filling in around nearby computers, aisles and jutting desks.

This time, we tried to get through the few words, smiles, and final conversations (while holding paper plates and plastic forks) dry-eyed.

Five chose not to be named. Some chose not to show up. Attendance at their own wakes was not required.

Pat, our psychiatrist-garden blogger, Silas, our Second Life rockstar, Donna (a joy to sit next to), RI'er (hat tip)... Thanks for coming. This s**ks bigtime.

Link | October 11, 2008 10:10 AM
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