Chicago Tribune Lays Off 40

Chicago Tribune:

The Chicago Tribune shed more than 40 newsroom employees today, which, coupled with last week's voluntary exit of more than 30 journalists, means the paper has cut 80 people from its editorial staff as part of cost-cutting campaign at all of parent Tribune Co.'s newspapers.

"Endings are never easy," Tribune editor Gerould W. Kern said in a note to staff, adding that "with the departure of 80 individuals through today, the editorial staff of the Chicago Tribune stands at 480, the largest news organization in Chicago by a wide margin and one of the largest and most accomplished in the United States. ... While painful, these staff reductions are necessary to establish the foundation for a sustainable future."

The latest round of cutbacks is the paper's fourth since late 2005, when the newsroom was said to have had 670 positions. Other departments at the paper have been making cuts, as well.

Read the whole story: Chicago Tribune

Comments

[Harrier]

Fuuny, countries like India are hiring and looking for experienced newspaper workers and can't find enough. There internal economic demands are so high, they don't need the US economy

[larry278]

HUFFINGTON POST just statred its Chicago edition but the CHICAGO TRIBUNE is getting rid of its staff to prepare to cease publication, fold & sell its real estate. That will enable Mr Zell to pay down the leveraged debt which he used to by the Trib. Mr Zell sees that the Trib can't compete with HP & also make money. Leveraged debt is compared to raising money by paying vigorish rates.
The SUN-TIMES can still fold before the Trib folds. Somebody can start or expand a free shopper to publish the shrinking number of ads which were scheduled to appear in the 2 dying Chicago daily papers. The Trib's other dailys outside Chicagoland could fold by 8/31/08.
Selling the real estate the Trib owns in those towns & uses for publishing those blutes well let Mr Zell pay down of his levereged debt. Damn, I forgot about WGN, the Cubs & their ball park.
Mark Cuban could get the money to buy the Cubs. MLB will learn to love Mark Cuban after he buys the Cubs.
The Trib can sell its radio & TV stations profitable despite of the recession. Mr Zell can pay off his loans that he used to buy the Trib & cash out without scars.
The Cub's ball park could appeal to a saavy developer. Mr Cuban will want a new ball park if he keeps the Cubs in Chicagoland. Mayor Daily wants the Cubs in Chicago, I think.

[jkohnke]

so who was laid off?