The Arizona Republic

[Gannettoid]

This was posted by Anonymous3 on the numbers forum:

FROM PHOENIX AND FROM EE RANDY LOVELY:

This evening, Nicole and I contacted the individuals directly impacted by the staff reductions. We have lost 20 of our friends and colleagues.

These employees have been invited to attend sessions tomorrow with our human resources department, and they also have been welcomed to come to the newsroom. I'm sure you all will extend your best thoughts and wishes to them as they begin to cope with this difficult news.

I realize the past couple of weeks have been difficult and unsettling for everyone. I appreciate your patience as we have gone through this difficult process.

Your department director will meet with you early in the morning to share information about any impact on your team, and we will have a full staff meeting at 4:30 Thursday in Sigma Delta Chi so that I talk about how we will move forward from this challenge.

Thanks.

Randy

[Gannettoid]

Can anyone provide the actual number of total employees before cuts at The Republic?

[anon]

The past few weeks have been very difficult. Yesterday evening and today managers completed conversations with employees impacted by the reductions. These conversations were difficult but made necessary by the continued weakness in the economy. In total, just over 100 jobs have been eliminated. The folks who lost their jobs will be missed. Their contributions to the company were significant. Employees affected by the reduction were offered a transition pay plan that supplements state unemployment to help provide them with income while looking for a new job. The transition pay plan is in effect for a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 36 weeks and is determined by years of service. I know all your good thoughts will be toward a productive job transition for these individuals.

Throughout today and tomorrow every department will conduct meetings to review the specific reductions in your department, how each department will manage through these changes, and most important where we go from here.

As difficult as it may seem we need to pull together and focus on tomorrow, next month and into the future. I am confident we have the necessary resources to perform at a very high level. One important thing we need to keep in mind is that the news and information business is driven by an audience. Throughout the very difficult past 18 months we have not only sustained our audience levels but increased them. This is due to your contributions and in the end that is what wins the game.

This is tough for the entire company. I certainly appreciate your care and support for this organization.

JZ

[Guest]

Can anyone provide the actual number of total employees before cuts at The Republic?

At the seververence meeting we were told over 100 were reduced.

[Guest]

Can anyone provide the actual number of total employees before cuts at The Republic?

About 1800 employees

[safe but scared]

With newsroom roll call.

http://zoniereport.com/2009/07/axe-fall ... aff-again/