As the newspaper seeks any and all methods of reducing costs we will see a first at the Los Angeles Times, a part time pressroom supervisor.John Garay, whom took a buyout in June, 2007 will be returning to the Olympic Pressroom tomorrow as a part time foreman.
Perhaps this is a first for the Times, but this has been one of many cost-reducing trends through out the industry for several years. Typically, what is being done is that full time production employees are either laid off or reassigned to part-time status with a wage reduction. From a cost saving perspective, this “trend” has proven to be very effective; it reduces the FTE’s substantially while eliminating the high cost of insurance benefits that would have been allocated to former full-time employees.
ReplyDeleteAs far as how work hours are assigned, every facility/paper has their own unique circumstances which dictates working hours in relation to production needs. Typically, what is being seen is that pressroom and packaging part-time employees are only working during production hours. When the press runs are over, the presses are cleaned, lubed, and inspected by what used to be maintenance/service shop full-time employees.
Regardless if Transcon will be taking over or if full-time employees will be laid of, and/or reassigned to part-time status, expect a significant reduction in wages and perhaps the elimination of insurance benefits for the remaining part-time employees.
An insider has indicated that a decision has already been made and an announcement is forthcoming, good luck.