NC newspaper offers buyouts to reduce staff count

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

RALEIGH (AP) ó A North Carolina newspaper has offered all of its employees a voluntary buyout in an effort to reduce its work force by up to 10 percent.
The News & Record of Greensboro reported its employees were sent an e-mail Friday that said all could apply for a buyout program. Spots werenít guaranteed, but accepted employees would be eligible for severance compensation.
Publisher Robin Saul cited the newspaperís declining revenue and distribution costs as factors in the decision. He said layoffs will be the next step if not enough employees take the offer.
The decision comes as newspapers nationwide continue to undertake significant job cuts. Newspaper giant Gannett Co. eliminated more than 1,000 positions earlier this year. McClatchy Co. announced its second major round of job cuts in September.
Information from: News & Record, http://www.news-record.com