Bridgewater, N.J.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Date: Dec. 4, 2008

206 positions were cut at 6 New Jersey newspapers.
Source: Asbury Park Press via Gannett Blog

Gannett eliminates positions at N.J. newspapers

STAFF REPORT • DECEMBER 3, 2008

Gannett Co. Inc. has eliminated 206 positions at its six newspapers in New Jersey due to declining advertising revenues and the severe economic downturn afflicting the state and the nation.

The company began notifying the affected employees Tuesday at the Asbury Park Press, the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, the Courier News in Bridgewater, the Daily Record in Parsippany and the Daily Journal in Vineland.

“The economic downturn we are facing is severe and is expected to last throughout next year,” said Thomas M. Donovan, president and publisher of the Asbury Park Press and vice president of Gannett’s East Newspaper Group. “We have reduced expenses significantly throughout this year. But, unfortunately, as we looked ahead to economic forecasts for 2009, it became clear that we needed to make further reductions.”

Employees who were laid off received severance benefits commensurate with their years of service.