Date set for San Bernardino Sun union election

Newsroom employees at the San Bernardino Sun will decide on July 7 whether to establish a union. The National Labor Relations Board has identified 17 employees as eligible to vote in the election. Senior Editor Kim Guimarin sent two memos (here and here) outlining the process and making clear that management does not want the newsroom to unionize. From the memo:

As we have shared, during the next five weeks there will be a series of informational meetings during which you will learn more about the process, i.e., voting procedures, union representation, and the union itself, the collective bargaining process, and why it is in your best interest as well as the Sun's to cast a ballot on June 7 and vote NO.

The Sun is owned by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, a division of Denver-based MediaNews Group.

MediaNews memo to staff

MediaNews Group executives Dean Singleton and Jody Lodovic sent a year-end memo to staff last week. The execs touted a few achievements...

Such as being less bad on the advertising side:

While advertising revenue has been severely challenged, your performance has been near the top of the industry throughout 2009. For the three-month period ended September, for example, your advertising revenue declined 24% as compared to the industry decline of 28.2%.

And staying out of bankruptcy court:

We have been working closely with our banks to restructure our debt and position MediaNews Group to execute its strategies and lead our newspapers into a positive future. Yes, we believe newspapers have a bright future! We are near agreement on the terms of a restructuring plan which we expect will be completed toward the end of the first quarter of 2010. Upon completion, MediaNews expects to have a manageable level of debt, and we look forward to working with each of you to take your newspapers into a changing but exciting future.

They offered some praise of the shrunken newsrooms as well:

While we, like others, have had no choice but to trim news staffs, we have tried to consolidate infrastructure to preserve reporting staff when possible. And with hard work and creativity, your newsrooms have re-invented themselves and continue to do excellent journalism.

But what staffers wanted to hear about was anything to do with future layoffs, hiring freezes or furloughs. On that front, the executives offered positive thinking but few reassurances:

As we near the end of 2009, you may have questions regarding annual reviews, 401(k) contributions, health care benefits, and future furloughs, etc. While it is our hope and desire to reinstate Company-wide salary reviews and 401(k) contributions as soon as possible and avoid future furloughs, it is premature to make those decisions.

The full memo is here.

Ruth Seymour to step down at KCRW*

A major shift is coming to KCRW. Ruth Seymour informed employees last night that she plans to step down as the station's general manager at the end of February. Seymour has headed the station since 1977. Under stewardship KCRW developed into a major public radio radio voice.

Here's her email to staff:

Dear Staff,

I want to give you a heads-up on some dramatic news.

I’ve made the decision to retire as General Manager at the end of February. I will be speaking personally to many of you in the coming weeks but I wanted to make sure that you heard this from me before it becomes more public.

For almost all of you, I am the only manager you’ve known. Some of you go back with me to John Adams Jr. High. We have a lot of history together.

We have created a family of sorts down in the basement. We have laughed and cried together, quarreled and made up. We’ve welcomed new wives and husbands and lots of babies, some of whom plan to run the station themselves someday.

The College is required to engage in certain procedures to choose a new manager and they have embarked on the process. I will be here to hand off the station to my successor.

Nothing is harder than to announce that you’re leaving and then try to manage for the next few months. So I hope you’ll make it easy for me.

I’m attaching a letter which will be sent to the membership. Please read it.

I’m sure I’ll get a chance to talk individually to everyone of you in the days to come.

With love and gratitude – Ruth

A copy of Seymour's letter to KCRW members is here.

Warren Olney discussed Seymour's announcement on tonight's "Which Way, LA?"

*UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times has a good story today about the timing of Seymour's resignation. Here's an excerpt:

Her departure comes at a time when the station is seen to be in transition. Despite its reputation for superlative programming -- including its signature music and public affairs shows, such as "Morning Becomes Eclectic," "Which Way, L.A.?" and "To the Point" -- KCRW lags behind other public radio stations in local-area ratings.

In October, the month in which the most recent ratings are available, KCRW placed 30th in the Los Angeles-Orange County market, with 1% of the total audience ages 6 and older. Classical station KUSC-FM (91.5) was 19th at 2.3%, while KPCC placed 24th at 1.8%.

But KCRW officials have challenged the ratings system, which they say undercounts the station's true audience.

KCRW is looking to broaden its appeal nationally through digital initiatives such as streaming and podcasting. Seymour felt that having someone else in the general manager role might help the station more quickly realize that goal.

"It's going to be a new era," she said. "Time to begin without me."

Also, I assumed it goes without saying that I work at KCRW as a producer for "Which Way, LA?" and "To The Point." However, assuming is never a good thing to do.

Zell sees his shadow

The Tribune Co. filed a motion on Friday asking for an extension of the time it has the exclusive right to negotiate its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to the motion, the company expects to remain bankrupt for another six months, until end of May 2010.

Here's a portion of the memo Tribune executive Randy Michaels and Gerry Spector sent to employees:

The exclusivity motion makes it clear that we’ve accomplished a lot as a company. With your help, we have stabilized and repositioned our businesses, exceeding the financial results of most of our newspaper and broadcasting peers. This year we project operating cash flow of approximately $400 million—nearly double our original operating plan. ...

Today’s motions will generate some media attention. Try to tune out the noise and focus on your job. The fourth quarter is traditionally the strongest one of the year and, with your continued hard work, we're sure this year will be no different.

The filing did in fact attract some media attention. Here's how the Tribune-owned Chicago Tribune led its story:

Signaling that infighting among creditors is bogging down reorganization efforts, Tribune Co. has asked a U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to give its management team until March 31 to craft a plan to exit Chapter 11 without interference from other parties.

Times names new online managing editor

The Los Angeles Times has named Sean Gallagher to be the paper's new online managing editor, succeeding Meredith Artley who stepped down earlier this month.

From the press release:

“Sean’s talent, integrity and command of virtually every facet of online publishing have been crucial to latimes.com’s success,” said Times Editor Russ Stanton. “He will provide valuable leadership as we continue to evolve and has already played a key role in helping shape our round-the-clock, fully-integrated newsroom."

Gallagher is charged with working across The Times newsroom and masthead, and in tandem with Managing Editor, Print Jon Thurber, to ensure a consistent and complementary multimedia experience and continued integration of print and Web efforts. In addition, he will continue to manage and implement the daily news and features online that have made latimes.com one of the fastest-growing newspaper sites.

Gallagher started with the Times in 2006 as an associate editor and worked on the most recent website redesign.

Newton to step down as Times editorial pages editor

Jim Newton, editor of the Los Angeles Times editorial pages, will step down next week. Deputy editor Nick Goldberg will assume the editor's job and oversee the paper's editorial board.

Newton, who's stated reason for leaving is to finish his book on Eisenhower, will remain on the masthead as editor-at-large, and will continue to write opinion pieces and maintain a his seat on the editorial board.

Publisher Eddy Hartenstein's memo announcing the changes is here.

Tribune unloads the Cubs

The Tribune Co. - owner of the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other papers - has made a deal to sell the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field to the Ricketts family. The proceeds will help pay down debts owed by Tribune Co., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last December.

From the press release:

The Ricketts family has signed a definitive agreement with Tribune Company to acquire a 95 percent interest in the Chicago Cubs National League Baseball Club, Wrigley Field and Tribune’s approximately 25 percent interest in Comcast SportsNet (CSN) in a transaction valued at $845 million. The Ricketts family will have management control of the joint venture as its 95 percent owner. Tribune will retain a five-percent ownership interest.

The deal must still be approved by a bankruptcy judge.

Layoffs at Contra Costa Times*

A July 1 memo from Bay Area News Group Executive Editor Kevin Keane to employees says the paper will layoff 18 people from the newsroom by midsummer.

Keane writes:

It goes without saying that this deep a cut on top of previous reductions will have a lasting impact on our newspapers and Web sites. Our preference would be to hold staffing at its current level until the revenue bottomed out, but we can't delay if we're to get through this downturn.

Before we finalize these cuts, however, we're asking for volunteers to step forward. These volunteers will receive an additional severance of up to eight weeks salary on top of the severance mentioned above - one week's pay for each year worked, up to eight years. Under the volunteer program, a 12-year employee would receive the maximum 20-week severance.

Read the full memo here.

The Bay Area News Group newspaper chain is a division of Dean Singleton's MediaNews Group and includes the Contra Costa Times and Oakland Tribune. BANG plans to consolidate its copy desk functions with the San Jose Mercury News, which is expected to lead to even more layoffs at the latter paper.

(h/t themediaisdying)

*Update: This post has been clarified to show that the layoffs will affect all BANG papers, not only the Contra Costa Times.

More furloughs at MediaNews*

All LANG employees will be forced to take five days off between now and the end of September - those with vacation time will be able to collect vacation pay; those without will be forced to take an unpaid furlough.

From the memo:

For those with 40 or more hours in their vacation bank, simply take a week of vacation. Because we are heading into the summer months when most people utilize their vacation time, this option should prove to have little or no impact on the majority of employees.

For those with less than 40 hours in their vacation bank, you can do a combination of both options. An example for a full-time employee who works 40 hours per week; you have 24 hours accrued vacation, you can use your three vacation days PLUS take two unpaid furlough days to equal the total five-day requirement.

For those with little or no vacation hours in their vacation bank, you will need to take unpaid furlough equaling five days. Non-exempt employees have the option of spreading their furlough days over several pay periods or they may take all of the time off within a one-week period. It is up to you, but the time must be taken by September 26.

Exempt employees who do not have the equivalent of five days’ vacation in their vacation bank do not have the option of combining vacation with furlough. If you are exempt, and do not have at least one week of vacation, you must take a week of furlough. Your week of furlough must be taken at one time (all within the same week), and you cannot perform any work during that week. This requirement may not apply to some sales positions, so if you are in advertising sales, please see your manager for guidance.

(Read the complete memo here.)

LANG also plans to extend a vacation freeze instituted last April, which means employees won't be able to accrue anymore vacation time until at least the end of September.

When LANG, which is a division of Dean Singleton's MediaNews Group, first announced the vacation freeze, it encouraged employees to use their vacation days as soon as possible. Those who heeded that advice are probably regretting it.

*Update: MediaNews Group also sent out a press release today to knock down rumors that the company was considering a bankruptcy filing. The company says it is negotiating its debt with lenders, but adds that: "Proposals to the company's lenders do not include a change in control of the company, nor do they include proposals for any bankruptcy filings, as the rumors suggest."

Memo outlines Gannett's layoff plans

Bob Dickey, president of Gannett's newspaper division, sent a memo today to employees outlining plans to cut about 1,400 newspaper jobs. The number of layoffs at each individual newspaper is still being worked out. "The vast majority of the reductions will take place by July 9," the memo says. The Wall Street Journal has reported that USA Today, Gannett's flagship, will be spared.

From the memo:

Approximately 1400 employees will be impacted by the job reductions across the division. Your publisher or general manager will communicate the local plans, and we expect the vast majority of the reductions will take place by July 9. In a select few cases, the implementation may take longer. There will not be any furloughs for the rest of the year.

I want to stress that the job reductions are not a reflection on these employees or their work. We truly value their many contributions and thank them for their efforts over the years.

Unfortunately, we must take these steps because the advertising environment remains challenged. There have been some promising signs of a recovery, but the reality is the improvements are not broad-based and the economy continues to be fragile.

Even so, we know the economy will improve. To be ready, we need to continue our transformation and maintain a strong financial position. We must publish our newspapers, produce our Web sites and pay down our debt. By taking all these steps today, we will be stronger tomorrow.

Read the complete Dickey memo here.

Press-Enterprise pullout

As part of the continuing cutbacks at the paper, the Riverside Press-Enterprise has announced it will stop delivering to several cities in San Bernardino County. The paper has eliminated a sizable chunk of its SB County reporting and editing staff already.

From the memo:

In January of this year, we were faced with the choice of leaving San Bernardino County or implementing a very aggressive price increase to allow us to cover our costs of publishing and continue delivering in San Bernardino County. Unfortunately, a significant number of subscribers in parts of S.B. County refused to accept the increase in price and cancelled their subscriptions.

Consequently, after further review, we have made the decision to discontinue home delivery in certain parts of the San Bernardino market due to low penetration levels. We will continue delivery in those areas where subscriber acceptance remains high, but unfortunately we will eliminate home delivery service in Chino Hills, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Rialto on Monday, July 13, 2009. The final print edition of The Press-Enterprise will be delivered to subscribers’ homes on Sunday, July 12, 2009.

Read the complete memo here.

In addition, rumors abound that the PE wants to sell its new headquarters, which the paper moved into two years ago, and move back to the old digs next door.

Two departures at the Daily Journal

The Los Angeles Daily Journal will lose two journalists tomorrow. Associate Editor Daniel Yi, who started at the paper in January, is leaving to flak for the Port of Long Beach. LA Observed published his goodbye email yesterday.

Also leaving, Superior Court reporter Cortney Fielding, who decided she'd be better off striking out on her own. Fielding, who went to the DJ in January 2008 from the Pasadena Star-News, plans to freelance for now. From her parting email:

...leaving was a tough decision. I’ve loved working with everyone here and really enjoy covering LA courts, but curiosity has gotten the better of me. I want to see what, if anything, I can accomplish out on my own and maybe catch my breath a little while figuring out what I want to do next in this business.

Granted, this is something I probably couldn’t do if I hadn’t had the foresight to marry a man who would one day collect a stable paycheck from a boring old insurance company, so props go to me for that.

I got into journalism because I enjoyed storytelling and lacked the imagination necessary to make stories up myself. Why bother when there is already so much great material ripe for the picking? I plan on continuing to tell other people’s stories. I’ve gotten a few cool freelance gigs to get me started, and I’m working on some bigger projects I’ll tell everyone about after they are more certain-so I don’t look like a total loser if they fall through.

But, if by the end of the year, I’m calling you as a PR person trying to pitch a story about an amazing law firm’s ground-breaking swine-flu practice, I guess we will know this was a very,very bad idea.

The rest of the email is here.

Cutting to begin at the Press-Enterprise

Ron Redfern, publisher of the Press-Enterprise of Riverside, sent employees a memo on Tuesday to let them know that another round of layoffs is about to begin. Redfern said the company has yet to determine how many people will lose their jobs, but he hopes to be finished with the process by the end of April.

The cuts were anticipated. Parent company A.H. Belo announced in January that it was planning to cut as many as 500 people total at its various newspapers.

Read the full Redfern memo here.

LANG to suspend raises for 2009

Jim Janiga, head of human resources for MediaNews in California, sent LANG employees a letter dated Jan. 14 informing them that all merit raises will be suspended in 2009. Janiga also asks employees to suggest other ways to cut costs and says unpaid furloughs and additional layoffs are on the table.

From the memo:

Suspending merit increases will not reduce our current expenses but it does help us contain our expenses for a period of time. So obviously more needs to be considered and implemented, if warranted. To this end we are asking everyone to share with us any suggestions you might have regarding cuts in our operating expenses that are measurable, timely and sensible; cuts that can help us avoid more layoffs and are cuts you may be willing to accept. We need your input.

Unfortunately we cannot promise there will not be layoffs in the future but we should always endeavor to do what we can to prevent as many as possible. Obviously, growing revenue is our best option but until revenue streams stabilize and grow, reducing our expenses will continue to be a painful but necessary focus. Some early suggestions have included mandatory furloughs, cuts in our vacation benefits, pay cuts (temporary and/or permanent), reduced work schedules, allowing volunteer reduction in hours while retaining most full-time benefits, and more.

Read the full memo here.