With messages from David Hiller and James O’Shea this afternoon regarding the upcoming downsizing at the Los Angeles Times, the reactions from the employees varied from anger, distrust and fear from the coming changes.
Management at the Olympic Facility did a great job of getting the word out with all memo’s attached to the bulletin board, where pressroom employees sign in daily. The press operators attended a meeting with our department head and we were informed no hourly workers in the pressroom are eligible for the buyout; but they can quit if they so desire.
I know of several pressroom employees that would like to take the current buyout, but because of the pressroom becoming a union shop, hourly pressroom employees cannot take advantage of the severance package. The individuals interested in leaving should contact their union representatives for information on taking the buyout, not certain at this moment if they will be allowed to do so?
If the current trend in advertising and circulation continue to sag, I’m sure we will see additional cost cutting measures implemented by years end.
I'm so glad to know that we are still eligible to quit the Times if we want to. Perhaps this is foreshadowing a new servitude plan under our new overlord. Maybe instead of job titles we'll have ranks of serfdom.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, think carefully about submitting your application for voluntary separation. Here's a snip from the form itself:
"By signing this Application Form, I commit to voluntarily separating from employment with [you know who]...if my application is approved. Applications are not subject to rescission."
And, don't think that you can get out of the EVSP by not signing the Waiver and Release -- you'll still be terminated sans severance (again from the EVSP application).