Operations Employees at the Los Angeles Times

When the Mafia takes one of their own out, they always say “Its nothing personal, its just business”, the same holds true for management when they let a employee go, its not personal, its just business, which we witnessed first hand this week at Olympic.

As the Tribune continues on the downward spiral, especially with double digit decreases in revenue; it will only be a business decision to outsource Operations to trim costs and increase profits. I know what we’re told, that we cannot outsource Operations, but I also still vividly recall being told there would be no further buyouts, four buyouts ago.

Credibility means a lot, which leads to the meeting in which everyone working in Operations was informed their jobs were secure, and all the Times truck drivers and mechanics were let go shortly after the meeting, and outsourced to Ryder Trucking.

Many of the articles I post in the daily links are meant for my fellow workers, especially regarding outsourcing at other newspapers, don’t think for a moment we are not seen as a way of increasing profits, we all have targets on our backs, and will be eliminated when possible.

If you do not believe me take a look to our north, the San Francisco Chronicle, which has a very strong union, will be letting everyone go in May of 2009 as Transcontinental takes over the production of the newspaper.

We have heard for four years that we will be bringing in new products to produce at our printing facilities, yet no extra work has materialized, and most likely will never arrive.

My message to all of my colleagues in Operations, watch your spending habits, cut back where you can, and by all means place your credits cards in a secure place for emergencies only.