This just in: Gannett has ordered one-week unpaid furloughs at all of its papers except, I’m told, at the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News. The Detroit exemptions are due to those papers’ plans to reduce print publication to three days a week for the Freep and two days for the News.
Here’s the bad news from Gannett top boss Craig Dubow to staff:
From: A message from Craig Dubow <fromCraig@gannett.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:13:37 -0500
To: (Deleted)
Conversation: Furlough Program
Subject: Furlough Program
Today Gannett is implementing a furlough program across all U.S. divisions and at corporate headquarters. This means that most of our U.S. employees – including myself and all other top executives – will be furloughed for the equivalent of one week in the first quarter. This furlough will be unpaid. Unions also will be asked to participate. We are doing this to preserve our operations and continue to deliver for our customers while confronting the issues raised by some of the most difficult economic conditions we have ever experienced. After much consideration, we decided a furlough program would be the fairest and least intrusive way to meet these fiscal challenges in the first quarter, which is traditionally the lightest time of the year. We sincerely hope this minimizes the need for any layoffs going forward. As the day goes on, you will be receiving information from your division presidents explaining the program, including some FAQs to help answer any of your questions and address your concerns about pay and benefits. We have made some very difficult decisions this past year, all with the goal of keeping Gannett strong and preparing for the future. I understand I have asked a great deal of you, and I regret adding to your burden with this program. But my sincere hope is that this step removes the need to do anything more drastic, and that business conditions improve. As always, I thank you for your patience and loyalty to Gannett.
