Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Newsroom managers are meeting with staff today
If anyone wants to share a report on what they were told, the comments here are on.
All the information I have at the moment about the cuts
Based on the data left in the comments:
Corrections, additions, and more details about categories of jobs please.
-----------
These are all the farewell messages in the comments so far:
I'm gone and I will miss all of you more than I can say. It has been an honor to work with such clever and loving people. I believe in what we accomplished at the DMN and hope there is a future for all newspapers everywhere. I would appreciate any advice or leads you might know of. Natalie Caudill Natalie.Caudill@gmail.com
-----------
I too have had the hammer fall on my head. I devoted myself to the newspaper biz and the Morning News. It has been an honor to work with so many talented and committed people in news. I appreciate the prayers and best wishes. I am 58 years old, a woman, single and have had a stroke. What now? Here is part of the breakdown: 6 off the news copy desk, all in their 50s except one; one off the news desk, 13 in sports; 2 in business; mostly zone reporters in metro; no one from TSW, national or international except a special writer. Where are the managers? God bless you all! Laura Miller, 15 years at DMN, 32 year career
----------------
Thank all of you in The DMN newsroom for your words of support and encouragement this morning. It's the world's greatest understatement to say that it has been an honor to work with you.
I have learned so much from you during my two decades at The News. The talent and dedication in that room is amazing. Some of you, and you know who you are, have given help and understanding during many difficult times.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to work at a job that has allowed me to do so much with my life so far.
I'm still a little numb, knowing that for the first time in nearly 32 years I do not have a newspaper job.
But I will be fine. I have many good friends, a loving family and a partner whose unconditional love has indeed made me a better person. We will celebrate 21 years of being together next weekend.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
--Frank Trejo
Trejojr@aol.com
----------
Greetings all,
After nearly nine years of contributing all I have to the company in the sports department, I have become a statistic. I will miss being a sports writer and smiling at the compliments from those who read my work, but at the same time, I'm not overly upset.
It'll be tough, but I won't complain. I will start my master's program in educational technology this summer. In the meantime, I'm hoping to land a job with benefits just to help out around the house. I ask for all of your prayers in these dire times. Please pray for my family, and send up a financial prayer for all who have been RIFd.
God bless you all.
Damon L. Sayles
DLSayles@yahoo.com
-----------
I’ve been saying for weeks that I would stick with this beloved profession until I was told to stop, and then I would figure out Plan B.
So, time for Plan B.
I grew up reading the Times Herald and Morning News. Seeing my byline in this newspaper was a dream come true. I feel privileged to have called you all colleagues and lucky to count so many of you as my friends.
Thanks for the warm wishes, loving support and righteous indignation on my behalf.
Please don’t be shy about sending the freelance and job leads.
Good luck to all who remain behind but especially to the amazingly talented crew of people walking out the door with me.
Cheers,
Beth Langton
(bethlangton (at) yahoo.com or find me on facebook)
-----------
You can add my name to the list of those RIF'ed. Just reached my 12 year anniversary in sports. Not gonna bore everyone with a long, sappy farewell -- I trust that the people who have helped me along the way and have been my friends know how I feel about them.
I don't have any immediate plans, but I'm not sad, angry or panicky. I know there are worse things than losing a job. My wife and son are happy and healthy. My dad's having heart surgery today and my sister is about to give birth to my nephew - life goes on.
If anyone needs to reach me, I can be found on facebook and at keithwhitmire (at) sbcglobal.net.
Good luck to all,
Keith Whitmire
-------------
At the moment, it’s hard to imagine work that’s as invigorating, as important and as much fun as being a journalist at a daily newspaper. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside some of the best reporters, editors, photographers and designers in my years at the Morning News and the Star-Telegram, and I’ll always cherish the memories.
That said, tomorrow will be a new day, with new adventures. I’m looking forward to exploring them.
Here’s hoping that, for democracy’s sake if nothing else, the decision-makers in our industry figure out how to steer journalism through these icebergs safely. Meanwhile, my parting requests to you are that you never abandon the principles and passions that drew you to journalism and that you continue to be kind to each other.
Journalists are some of the smartest, funniest and most compassionate people I know. Please stay in touch. You can find me on Facebook.
All the best,
Mary McMullen Gladstone
-----------
To my colleagues at SportsDay,
I had a dream last night that my house was invaded by a bear. It attacked me, but I fended it off with a banana. True story. So I woke up knowing that today would be an adventure, but that the ultimate outcome would be favorable and possibly humorous.
My thoughts are with those of you who have families, mortgages, and livelihoods to hold together. Our workplace was not without adversity, but we shared some special moments, and created one of the finest sections in the nation as well. I am proud to have worked with you, and honored to call you my friends.
There's no need for an Amber Alert this time; I'm not coming back!
Best wishes,
Bavand
-------
Nancy Moore posted a lovely farewell over on the Unfair Park blog.
----------
Most of you will not know me by name. I worked as a Photo Librarian for 9 years, 8 months and 3 days. I walked the hallways a lot and loved interacting with all the unusual characters that make up the News Department. I will miss being there more that I can possibly say. Thank you all being so generous in spirit.
Cris Miller
cris.miller@att.net
-----------------------------
I didn't want to comment on here yesterday for obvious reason. This has been the worst week of my life, and I haven't quite been able to understand it.
I don't understand the decision that were made. I wrote more than 450 stories and produced 70+ videos in 37 weeks, but it didn't save me from getting RIFed. My less than 40K salary didn't help me either.
Ironically, months before I was laid off, I was told that I was doing exactly what they wanted my position to do. I never heard any negative comments about my work.
I just don't understand.
I was hoping to make a year at the DMN, but I feel two months shy. I'll miss you all. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dan X. McGraw
danxmcgraw(at)gmail.com
11 from Local News. 10 reporters, one news clerk
1 production editor from Editorial
6 from Lifestyles: Two part-time editors, one full-time editor, two writers, one Guide listings editor/writer.
3 from business: One reporter, a wire editor and an assistant editor.
13 from the sports desk: 8 from desk, 4 writers, 1 phone clerk
6 from Photo
3 from News Art
6 off the news copy desk
1 off the news desk
Corrections, additions, and more details about categories of jobs please.
-----------
These are all the farewell messages in the comments so far:
I'm gone and I will miss all of you more than I can say. It has been an honor to work with such clever and loving people. I believe in what we accomplished at the DMN and hope there is a future for all newspapers everywhere. I would appreciate any advice or leads you might know of. Natalie Caudill Natalie.Caudill@gmail.com
-----------
I too have had the hammer fall on my head. I devoted myself to the newspaper biz and the Morning News. It has been an honor to work with so many talented and committed people in news. I appreciate the prayers and best wishes. I am 58 years old, a woman, single and have had a stroke. What now? Here is part of the breakdown: 6 off the news copy desk, all in their 50s except one; one off the news desk, 13 in sports; 2 in business; mostly zone reporters in metro; no one from TSW, national or international except a special writer. Where are the managers? God bless you all! Laura Miller, 15 years at DMN, 32 year career
----------------
Thank all of you in The DMN newsroom for your words of support and encouragement this morning. It's the world's greatest understatement to say that it has been an honor to work with you.
I have learned so much from you during my two decades at The News. The talent and dedication in that room is amazing. Some of you, and you know who you are, have given help and understanding during many difficult times.
I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to work at a job that has allowed me to do so much with my life so far.
I'm still a little numb, knowing that for the first time in nearly 32 years I do not have a newspaper job.
But I will be fine. I have many good friends, a loving family and a partner whose unconditional love has indeed made me a better person. We will celebrate 21 years of being together next weekend.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
--Frank Trejo
Trejojr@aol.com
----------
Greetings all,
After nearly nine years of contributing all I have to the company in the sports department, I have become a statistic. I will miss being a sports writer and smiling at the compliments from those who read my work, but at the same time, I'm not overly upset.
It'll be tough, but I won't complain. I will start my master's program in educational technology this summer. In the meantime, I'm hoping to land a job with benefits just to help out around the house. I ask for all of your prayers in these dire times. Please pray for my family, and send up a financial prayer for all who have been RIFd.
God bless you all.
Damon L. Sayles
DLSayles@yahoo.com
-----------
I’ve been saying for weeks that I would stick with this beloved profession until I was told to stop, and then I would figure out Plan B.
So, time for Plan B.
I grew up reading the Times Herald and Morning News. Seeing my byline in this newspaper was a dream come true. I feel privileged to have called you all colleagues and lucky to count so many of you as my friends.
Thanks for the warm wishes, loving support and righteous indignation on my behalf.
Please don’t be shy about sending the freelance and job leads.
Good luck to all who remain behind but especially to the amazingly talented crew of people walking out the door with me.
Cheers,
Beth Langton
(bethlangton (at) yahoo.com or find me on facebook)
-----------
You can add my name to the list of those RIF'ed. Just reached my 12 year anniversary in sports. Not gonna bore everyone with a long, sappy farewell -- I trust that the people who have helped me along the way and have been my friends know how I feel about them.
I don't have any immediate plans, but I'm not sad, angry or panicky. I know there are worse things than losing a job. My wife and son are happy and healthy. My dad's having heart surgery today and my sister is about to give birth to my nephew - life goes on.
If anyone needs to reach me, I can be found on facebook and at keithwhitmire (at) sbcglobal.net.
Good luck to all,
Keith Whitmire
-------------
At the moment, it’s hard to imagine work that’s as invigorating, as important and as much fun as being a journalist at a daily newspaper. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside some of the best reporters, editors, photographers and designers in my years at the Morning News and the Star-Telegram, and I’ll always cherish the memories.
That said, tomorrow will be a new day, with new adventures. I’m looking forward to exploring them.
Here’s hoping that, for democracy’s sake if nothing else, the decision-makers in our industry figure out how to steer journalism through these icebergs safely. Meanwhile, my parting requests to you are that you never abandon the principles and passions that drew you to journalism and that you continue to be kind to each other.
Journalists are some of the smartest, funniest and most compassionate people I know. Please stay in touch. You can find me on Facebook.
All the best,
Mary McMullen Gladstone
-----------
To my colleagues at SportsDay,
I had a dream last night that my house was invaded by a bear. It attacked me, but I fended it off with a banana. True story. So I woke up knowing that today would be an adventure, but that the ultimate outcome would be favorable and possibly humorous.
My thoughts are with those of you who have families, mortgages, and livelihoods to hold together. Our workplace was not without adversity, but we shared some special moments, and created one of the finest sections in the nation as well. I am proud to have worked with you, and honored to call you my friends.
There's no need for an Amber Alert this time; I'm not coming back!
Best wishes,
Bavand
-------
Nancy Moore posted a lovely farewell over on the Unfair Park blog.
----------
Most of you will not know me by name. I worked as a Photo Librarian for 9 years, 8 months and 3 days. I walked the hallways a lot and loved interacting with all the unusual characters that make up the News Department. I will miss being there more that I can possibly say. Thank you all being so generous in spirit.
Cris Miller
cris.miller@att.net
-----------------------------
I didn't want to comment on here yesterday for obvious reason. This has been the worst week of my life, and I haven't quite been able to understand it.
I don't understand the decision that were made. I wrote more than 450 stories and produced 70+ videos in 37 weeks, but it didn't save me from getting RIFed. My less than 40K salary didn't help me either.
Ironically, months before I was laid off, I was told that I was doing exactly what they wanted my position to do. I never heard any negative comments about my work.
I just don't understand.
I was hoping to make a year at the DMN, but I feel two months shy. I'll miss you all. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Dan X. McGraw
danxmcgraw(at)gmail.com
Job opportunity
This is Gretchen (Perrenot) Shelby, and I'm passing along a job opportunity in Kuwait. The company is CSA, Ltd. and the job is in the communications department. I worked at Belo for 10 years and then went to Kuwait to work for CSA on a one-year contract. I came back after that year and took another job at TDMN. If you're interested in this job, feel free to e-mail me at gretchen1996 (at) yahoo.com and I will send you my phone number and answer any questions you have.
Purpose: Under the general direction prepares, writes and edits various communications instruments for the company.
Supervisory Role: N/A
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists in the annual communications development plan for the organization.
2. Prepares internal communications, such as company newsletter, bulletins, letters, and other communiques.
3. Prepares policy and procedure communications, including policy statements, training materials, and other communiques&ea cute;s.
4. Prepares Employee Handbook, Employee Housing Handbook, and other similar company documents.
5. Prepares Desk Guides for the Human Resources Departments.
6. Writes media scripts and oversees production of such materials (i.e., CD-ROMS, videos, DVDs).
7. Handles media management issues, when needed, preparing appropriate responses and seeking appropriate approvals.
8. Coordinates and assists in the development of materials for website Internet and Intranet sites.
9. Coordinates events such as Service Award programs and other public forums, to include research and preparation for remarks and/or speeches.
10. Coordinates Employee Forums and handles written responses to questions.
11. Performs other related tasks as directed.
You can get other details from her. But there is this one interesting requirement:
3. Must be able to work in extreme environmental conditions including dust and high temperatures.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
A fair question
A reader writes:
I have no ill will toward the managers who kept their jobs today. Like reporters, they are trying to do their best work. This was a terrible day for the survivors as well as those who were cut. But I think this reader raises a fair question that can also be found in many comments. I know that Bob Mong and George Rodrigue have meetings scheduled. I hope this is a question they will answer without needing to be asked.
None of the layoffs in Metro were managers. Were there any managers laid off in any department? Every manager was more valuable than any of the reporters, photographers, etc. who lost jobs? Some of the reporters who lost jobs were experienced in years and their subject area. Are editors who have not worked as reporters for many years expected to step in instantly and to do as well? Even a good editor is not necessary a competent reporter, just as some good reporters are not good editors.
I have no ill will toward the managers who kept their jobs today. Like reporters, they are trying to do their best work. This was a terrible day for the survivors as well as those who were cut. But I think this reader raises a fair question that can also be found in many comments. I know that Bob Mong and George Rodrigue have meetings scheduled. I hope this is a question they will answer without needing to be asked.
An idea among the comments
This was buried inside the comments on an earlier post. It's an idea that somebody might be interested in following up on. If not, please do not insult the post-er or the idea. Everyone is trying to come up with ways to make what is terrible a little less bad. Is this a good way? A reader writes:
A well-meaning manager asked me to pass along this thought:
Several years ago, in advance of the first RIFs, the newsroom collected money and divided it among those who lost their jobs. This manager said he had heard that the money was very helpful. And suggested that if someone not a manager wanted to create such a fund now, that it might be helpful this time.
I told him that I was distantly linked to that fund back then. That it was a lot of work. That we started collecting well in advance of the RIF. That there had been a lot more of us.
He was not comfortable making the suggestion publicly and asked a reporter -- me -- if I would try to get it onto this blog. Because he knows I'm the kind of person who posts comments on this blog. Which I am.
Somebody stepped up to create this blog. Perhaps someone will want to step up to try to administer a rapid collection. If you do so, I expect you'd find *some* financial support among the managers.
A local job possibility
A reader sends in:
Saginaw High School in Northwest Tarrant County has a journalism position open. If any of you are interested or know of anyone who is, please feel free to contact: cbradshaw@ems-isd.net
Juggling chainsaws
I can't pull out the iinformation now. But I'll go through all the comments tonight and create an aggregate post of numbers and names. So keep on posting data or parting notes. I will get it together later.
Post farewell messages here
If anyone leaving wants to post a farewell, let's leave the comments
on this post for that. Sympathetc comments of support can go on other posts. Let's leave this one for those who got cut.
Frank Trejo has posted a comment.
on this post for that. Sympathetc comments of support can go on other posts. Let's leave this one for those who got cut.
Frank Trejo has posted a comment.
Noli nothis permittere te terere
Or if you prefer: Illegitimi non carborundum.
Either way, here we are. D Day.
Repeating the rules of the day:
1) If you are laid off and want to let people know, give contact information and/or give a parting message, send me an e-mail -- dmncuts(at)gmail(dot)com -- and I'll get it posted. Or you can post a comment here with the information. I'll try to get those kinds of comments aggregated onto their own post as the day goes on. The same applies for tomorrow and the next several days, as people recover from shock and decide they want to be public. During previous layoffs, a few people got job offers because they made their situation public, if that helps.
2) Do not post a name in the comments as having been laid off unless it is you. Do not launch a personal attack on any person. This blog will have no collateral damage if I can help it. I realize that will make it less newsy and interesting to read. I can live with that. What do you want for nothing? A rubber biscuit?
3) Those of you keeping lists, if you want to share, here's what I want at the end of the day: Department breakdowns and category breakdowns. That is, how many from local, sports, UD, etc. How many reporters, line editors, copy editors, etc.
I will neither be liveblogging nor Tweeting. I will post e-mails as quickly as I can. If you have a problem with the pace, see #2 above. At the moment, I still have a job. Working this blog on a company computer feels like a bad idea.
Most of those who have gone before this have landed on their feet and say they are happier than they were when they were here. May it be so for those who leave today.
The comments are on.
Either way, here we are. D Day.
Repeating the rules of the day:
1) If you are laid off and want to let people know, give contact information and/or give a parting message, send me an e-mail -- dmncuts(at)gmail(dot)com -- and I'll get it posted. Or you can post a comment here with the information. I'll try to get those kinds of comments aggregated onto their own post as the day goes on. The same applies for tomorrow and the next several days, as people recover from shock and decide they want to be public. During previous layoffs, a few people got job offers because they made their situation public, if that helps.
2) Do not post a name in the comments as having been laid off unless it is you. Do not launch a personal attack on any person. This blog will have no collateral damage if I can help it. I realize that will make it less newsy and interesting to read. I can live with that. What do you want for nothing? A rubber biscuit?
3) Those of you keeping lists, if you want to share, here's what I want at the end of the day: Department breakdowns and category breakdowns. That is, how many from local, sports, UD, etc. How many reporters, line editors, copy editors, etc.
I will neither be liveblogging nor Tweeting. I will post e-mails as quickly as I can. If you have a problem with the pace, see #2 above. At the moment, I still have a job. Working this blog on a company computer feels like a bad idea.
Most of those who have gone before this have landed on their feet and say they are happier than they were when they were here. May it be so for those who leave today.
The comments are on.
200 gone from the whole DMN?
A TV-watching reader writes:
A.H.Belo rep told Fox 4 News that the 500 company-wide cuts include 200 at the DMN...that's according to the story they aired tonight on the state of journalism. For what it's worth.
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