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Memo: Owner of local papers to cut 30 jobs
The Web site for the award-winning alternative weekly, the Philadelphia City Paper.
Memo: Owner of local papers to cut 30 jobs
Greater Philadelphia Media — which includes Calkins Media's local publications: The Bucks County Courier Times, the Burlington County Times, The Intelligencer and phillyBurbs.com — is cutting 30 jobs, according to an internal memo that was passed along to the City Paper. The memo from president and general manager Michael Jameson blames the national economy and says, "Even though our ability to generate revenues from local businesses has shown promising trends, we are anticipating overall revenues to fall again next year."
The news of voluntary and potentially involuntary layoffs follows a number of Calkins executive-level hires, including Jameson in March, a new chief digital officer in April and a director of business development in June. The memo doesn't indicate where the staff reductions will come from, and a call to Jameson's office went to voicemail. (If he calls back, we'll update.)
From: Jameson, Michael
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 11:52 AM
Subject: A message from the President and General Manager Importance: High
To all employees of Greater Philadelphia Media, 7/25/12
As I’m sure you are aware, our national economy continues to face serious challenges and prospects for a strong recovery in the near future are uncertain. This has a downward impact on our revenues as large national retailers continue to reduce their advertising expenditures across all markets. Even though our ability to generate revenues from local businesses has shown promising trends, we are anticipating overall revenues to fall again next year.
As we plan for fiscal year 2013, it is necessary for us to take a conservative approach regarding expenses. I am announcing today that we intend to reduce the size of our workforce by about 30 positions. Our hope is to accomplish this largely through voluntary buyout offers, but there will also be involuntary separations. The reductions will be accomplished in several ways.
• As many vacant positions as possible will be eliminated.
• Approximately 13 positions will be eliminated through restructuring throughout our organization. Affected employees will be offered separation benefits under the 2012 Calkins Media Incorporated Involuntary Separation Plan.
• Eligible employees who offer to voluntarily terminate their employment will be offered separation benefits under the 2012 Calkins Media Incorporated Voluntary Separation Plan. Full-time employees invited to participate in the Plan must be at least age 54 with 10 years of service.
Separation benefits will be the same for all involuntary and voluntary separations. Employees will receive 1 week of severance pay for each year of service up to 10 years, and 1/2 week of severance pay for every year of service beyond the first 10 years. The maximum amount of severance will be 26 weeks. In addition, we will pay 100% of the cost of the employee’s health insurance for the length of the severance period through a reimbursement of COBRA Health Plan Continuation Program payments.
Involuntary layoffs will occur this week. During the week of July 30th we will offer the Voluntary Separation Plan to eligible employees throughout GPM. In the event enough eligible employees do not choose to voluntarily resign their employment, additional staff reductions may be necessary.
Informational meetings will be held at all GPM sites as needed to provide you with more details. You are also encouraged to contact Tom Spurgeon at [omitted] if you have additional questions.
Thank you for your understanding of the challenges we are facing today. The actions we are taking to respond to these challenges are difficult, but necessary. I sincerely believe these actions are in the best interests of the Company and our employees, and I remain confident in our future.
Sincerely,
Michael Jameson
President and General Manager
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