Furloughs in the north

Management at the Singleton-owned Monterey County Herald, has asked workers to agree to take a week's unpaid furlough next year in exchange for a three-month's reprieve from any layoffs. From the guild website:

The one-week furlough would save $53,000, company representatives said. If Guild members reject the furlough, the company maintains the right under the Guild contract to lay off employees.

In requesting the furlough during a meeting with the Guild today, MediaNews counsel Marshall Anstandig cited a continued decline in advertising revenue at the Herald.

If Guild members approve the furlough, the company will guarantee that no layoffs will occur through March 31, 2010.

After March 31, the company said it would provide notice to the Guild should layoffs become necessary and meet with the Guild to consider any volunteers who’d be willing to quit to save the job of an employee who otherwise would be laid off.