Gannett Now Cutting Severance Pay For Laid-Off Employees

New York Times:

But rather than pay severance, as it did in previous rounds, Gannett is paying what is called supplemental unemployment benefits, which allows the company to shift part of the cost onto the states.

The company says that for most employees the result will be about the same -- that in fact, many will get a little more, and a few could get much more.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[Raiderfan0524]

This is exactly the kind of behavior that made me decide long ago that if it were a choice between working for Gannett and selling pencils from a cup on the street to make money, give me the cup filled with pencils.

I'd be willing to be that while they're cutting staff, severance packages and anything else needed by their employees, management is still getting a nice chunk of change. When I worked for a Gannett paper in Upstate New York, we were using computers that would have been new in the 70s...whil­e the CEO of the company was pocketing a $650 million bonus.

Anyone who believes unions aren't useful should read this story. My friends who have been laid off from union shops have been protected when laid off. Non-union shops can do this and get away with it.

[AZterritory]

Not surprising. Their local rag in AZ (Arizona Republic) laid off dozens of reporters and mainly uses the wire feeds for stories of little interest. And yesterday there was a full page ad whining about how they couldn't afford to print the TV schedule supplement every week, so there would be a 25 cent charge per week for it! And every time they move headlines around Gannett trumpets the new and improved paper . They run large ads saying "Just when you thought the Republic couldn't get any better." Unfortunately it's the only game in town, and I'd rather spill my coffee on it than my laptop . . but thank dog for HP and other web news sites!

[mcmutter]

its HIGH TIME for white collar employees (managers) to form a union to prevent these abuses

there should be no severance for anyone at the company (including golden parachutes)

[mcmutter]

there is no doubt that later this year they will hire a consulting company to determine why there is no more LOYALTY to their company...­..

[Whitley2009]

Gannett owns my local daily newspaper which I no longer purchase. I used to buy USA Today occasionally, but no longer do that either. My local weekly newspapers, services on the Internet, and news on my local radio and TV stations provide me with enough local information.

One of the reasons I stopped subscribing to my local Gannett owned newspaper is that it was so Republican Party oriented. Even as their subscribers leave them and they go bankrupt, they still maintain their heavy Republican Party favoritism.

It would appear that Gannett and the pulps are now paying the price for their arrogance and one-sided journalism.

Finally, I no longer have to wash the ink off my hands or smell the fumes of ink after turning the pages of the morning paper. I will, however, miss using the newspaper for mulch in my garden.