Looks like the layoffs for Advance Publications in Michigan went beyond the west Michigan newspapers.
Among those posting that they are laid off was Bonnie Raymond, most recently in Human Resources at The Flint Journal. She celebrates 25 years at The Journal on Feb. 5 and is laid off Feb. 6. (Dates corrected Jan. 9)
Also rumored to be affected are some who oversee newspaper delivery at the Booth Mid-Michigan newspapers. Many of the functions already were being handled in Grand Rapids, which is moving its call center operations to Kalamazoo.
Advance, which has offered several rounds of buyouts at most of its newspapers, announced in August that it would no longer guarantee jobs even if newspaper revenue dropped. Some of the employees who are out of a job have said they are getting a severance package although it is not like the earlier buyout packages.
Many thought that The Flint Journal, Bay City Times and Saginaw News would avoid layoffs since the staffs were reduced dramatically when the newspapers went to a Thursday, Friday, Sunday publication schedule.in June 2009.
January 8, 2010
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I'm a GRPress employee. We were told the severance package includes one week of pay per year serve, including 100% paid for health benefits. LAid off workers have to work through Feb. 5, although I'm guessing they could take their vacations during that period instead of cashing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information. I know that Free From Editors also has some details.
ReplyDeleteSeveral workers in Flint sued over the "you have to work until..." clause. They won. My understanding is that if you're laid off, you're laid off, they don't get to dictate your last day like that...
ReplyDeleteThe Jackson Citizen Patriot let go of three full time employees on Friday.
ReplyDeletehow many hours is the weekly basis for the severance?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure .... and I can't believe how long it took me to see this. Sorry
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