Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 22

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers newsroom buyouts

By Joyce Gannon, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As part of companywide cost-cutting moves, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette yesterday offered a voluntary severance package to some newsroom employees.

The company wants to cut a minimum 18 full-time equivalent positions from the newsroom, said R.J. Hufnagel, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, the union that represents about 200 writers, editors, photographers, artists and other newsroom employees.

About 100 members of the union are eligible for the buyout offer, which is based on a combination of age and years of employment. The offer includes up to one year in salary and one year of health-care coverage at the current employee contribution rate, and the option to purchase medical coverage for another two years.

If fewer than 18 full-time equivalent workers accept it, the company could begin layoffs, said Mr. Hufnagel. Eligible employees must decide whether to accept the offer by Dec. 5.

"Due to the challenging economic environment, the Post-Gazette is undertaking a range of cost-cutting measures, including some targeted staff reductions across various parts of the building and involving both union and nonunion employees," said Chris Chamberlain, general manager of the newspaper.

"Just as we confront these difficult decisions, we are also looking at ways to continue to grow our business in a changing media environment."

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