St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 23

Posted 09.13.12 • 2012 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: July 27, 2012


Post-Dispatch lays off 23

Approximately 10 percent of the newsroom cut.

Storified by Erica Smith · Sun, Jul 29 2012 08:35:41

Updated: Due to a union classification mix-up, a web editor was laid off Friday. He has been reinstated, and a news copy editor was laid off. The final count remains 23. (07.29.12)
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch laid off 23 employees Thursday and Friday.
In the newsroom, four editors, three reporters, four copy editors, a photographer and the editorial cartoonist were laid off. Sports copy editor David Sheets tweeted he was got a phone call this morning.
Just got the call: I’ve been laid off from the Post-Dispatch after 14 years. Shocking, though not really a… http://fb.me/DRqOPTMGDavid Sheets
Post-Dispatch Layoffs Include Photographer Johnny Andrews, Creator of the Listen Series – St. Louis Music – RFTmusicThe man responsible for creating this and many other awesome things is among today’s cuts at the P-D. It’s a truly bad day for St. Louis …
Deputy managing editor/news Steve Parker, photography director Larry Coyne, food editor Judy Evans and assistant metro editor Tim Bross were laid off late Thursday night.
After 31 years, I am no longer an employee of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Like a number of others, I was part of the companywide layoffs that took place Thursday evening and today. For the past 10 years, I had the privilege of overseeing the Post-Dispatch’s front page — with some excellent guidance and coaching from countless colleagues. All in all, it’s been a good run. I have the utmost respect for those I’ve worked with in the past at the Post-Dispatch, and those who remain. Best wishes. (pick up A copy.)Stephen K. Parker
Along with far too many colleagues, I’ve been laid off from the Post-Dispatch. I’m still in shock, and pondering my future.Judy Evans
Food Editor Judith Evans Among Post-Dispatch Layoffs – St. Louis Restaurants and Dining – Gut CheckAs Daily RFT reported this morning, the Post-Dispatch is currently in the process of laying off an unknown number of editorial employees….
In a memo to the staff, Post-Dispatch editor Gilbert Bailon blamed the economy: ”We regret to announce that economic conditions caused the Post-Dispatch to lay off 13 newsroom employees.”
Outside the newsroom, another 10 employees were laid off in advertising and production departments.
On Wednesday, Lee Enterprises, which owns the Post-Dispatch and the Suburban Journals of St. Louis, disclosed that CEO Mary Junck was given 500,000 shares of stock.
Christmas comes early for Lee CEO Mary Junck | JIMROMENESKO.COMStruggling newspaper chain Lee Enterprises disclosed yesterday that CEO Mary Junck acquired 500,000 shares of stock at the purchase price…
Lee officials said the shares were awarded after they “concluded that Ms. Junck’s compensation, including equity-based compensation, is substantially below that of her peers in the newspaper industry.”
Lee explains why CEO Mary Junck was awarded $655,000 in stock | JIMROMENESKO.COMOn Wednesday, Lee Enterprises disclosed in an SEC filing that it awarded CEO Mary Junck 500,000 shares of company stock, valued at $655,0…
A week earlier, Lee Enterprises reported a net loss of $1.5 million in its fiscal third quarter, which ended June 24. The company reported total revenue of $179.3 million for that quarter.
Post-Dispatch parent Lee reports shrinking Q3 loss – St. Louis Business JournalLee Enterprises Inc., publisher of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, reported a net loss of $1.4 million in its fiscal third quarter ended Jun…
In March, Junck was awarded a $500,000 bonus and Chief Financial Officer Carl Schmidt was awarded a $250,000 bonus for their work to refinance the bankrupt newspaper chain’s debt. Layoffs were announced at Lee papers outside of the St. Louis area the same day the bonuses were announced.
Layoffs at Lee papers as CEO gets $500,000 bonus | JIMROMENESKO.COMIt was announced on Tuesday that Lee Enterprises CEO Mary Junck was given a $500,000 bonus for refinancing the bankrupt newspaper chain’s…

Previous layoffs

On June 8, a Post-Dispatch advertising employee was laid off. Two weeks earlier, four copy editors, a photographer and an editor were laid off. 
Post-Dispatch lays off 6 newsroom employeesFour copy editors, one photographer and an editor were laid off Tuesday.
Two more employees were laid off in February.
In 2011, 37 Post-Dispatch employees and 20 Suburban Journals employees were laid off. That same year, Lee executives received 30 percent increases in compensation. More than 450 Post-Dispatch and Journals employees have been laid off since 2008.
Paper Cuts | Tag Archive | St. Louis Post-DispatchDocumenting layoffs and buyouts at U.S. newspapers
Paper Cuts | Tag Archive | Suburban Journals of St. LouisDocumenting layoffs and buyouts at U.S. newspapers
Editor’s note: I am a former Post-Dispatch employee; I resigned in April 2012. I also operate the Paper Cuts website (linked above), which is not as up-to-date as I’d like.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 1

Posted 09.13.12 • 2012 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: June 8, 2012

An advertising employee was laid off. Do you know more? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Source: Paper Cuts tip

Full disclosure: I am a former Post-Dispatch employee; I resigned in April 2012.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 6

Posted 09.13.12 • 2012 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: May 22, 2012


Post-Dispatch lays off 6 newsroom employees

Four copy editors, one photographer and an editor were laid off Tuesday.

Storified by Erica Smith · Thu, Jul 26 2012 21:19:29

Four copy editors, one photographer and an assistant metro editor were laid off today from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in St. Louis. 
Sad day at the #STL Post-Dispatch. Five United Media Guild members, 4 copy editors 1 photojournalist & 1 manager, were laid offUnited Media Guild
One of the copy editors was a part-time employee; all others were full-time employees.
Newsroom employees can volunteer to take the place of a laid off employee, according to an internal memo from Post-Dispatch managers. Employees have until June 5 to do so.

Post-Dispatch editor Arnie Robbins retired on Friday. Editorial page editor Gilbert Bailon has taken over. 

Post-Dispatch Editor Arnie Robbins retiringEditorial page editor Gilbert Bailon to take over.
In March, Lee Enterprises Chief Executive Officer Mary Junck was awarded a $500,000 bonus for refinancing the bankrupt newspaper chain’s debt. The Post-Dispatch is owned by Lee.
Layoffs at Lee papers as CEO gets $500,000 bonus | JIMROMENESKO.COMIt was announced on Tuesday that Lee Enterprises CEO Mary Junck was given a $500,000 bonus for refinancing the bankrupt newspaper chain’s…
The Post-Dispatch laid off a marketing and an information technology employee in February, and 37 employees in 2011.
Paper Cuts | Tag Archive | St. Louis Post-DispatchDocumenting layoffs and buyouts at U.S. newspapers
Editor’s note: I am a former Post-Dispatch employee; I resigned in April 2012.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 2

Posted 03.25.12 • 2012 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: Feb. 22, 2012

One marketing employee and one IT employee were laid off. The company has not commented on the layoffs.
Source: Paper Cuts tips

Full disclosure: I work at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

St. Joseph News-Press: 21

Posted 03.25.12 • 2012 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Joseph, Mo.
Owner: News-Press & Gazette Co.
Date: Feb. 17, 2012

Thirteen full-time and eight part-time employees were laid off from the NPG Printing, which prints the News-Press and other publications in the area. Chief operating officer Lee Sawyer blamed lost contracts and a printing deal that fell apart during negotiations. Sawyer said most layoffs will be from the newspaper printing operation.
Source: St. Joseph News-Press via Paper Cuts tip

Riverfront Times: 2

Posted 11.04.11 • 2011 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Village Voice Media
Effective: Oct. 19, 2011

A writer and a web editor were laid off.
Source: Paper Cuts tip

Suburban Journals of St. Louis: 20 *

Posted 08.24.11 • 2011 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: Aug. 24, 2011

At least 19 employees were laid off. The Riverfront Times reports “some 23″ jobs were cut — employees were called at home after work Tuesday night and notified they were laid off. Some open positions also were eliminated, so it’s possible both figures are correct. Several Suburban Journals editions will be eliminated on Sept. 7, including Jefferson County and North County in Missouri and Monroe County and St. Clair County in Illinois. “Focusing more on digital news delivery in some areas frees us from the weekly print cycle and allows us to continue providing the best community coverage available to the greater St. Louis area,” Publisher Dave Bundy said in a story on the Suburban Journal website. Bundy has not publicly addressed or acknowledged the layoffs.
Sources: Paper Cuts tips; Riverfront Times; Suburban Journals

Update: In a press release, Publisher David Bundy said 20 positions were eliminated. (08.24.11)
Source: Riverfront Times

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: 6 *

Posted 08.17.11 • 2011 layoffs, Paper Cuts

St. Louis, Mo.
Owner: Lee Enterprises
Effective: Sept. 9, 2011

Buyouts are being offered to newsroom employees. In a memo to employees, the company said it “anticipate(s) accepting up to 10 requests for voluntary severance.” Employees have until Sept. 6 to accept the buyout offer. Five newsroom employees accepted a buyout offer in June and July.
Source: Post-Dispatch memo

Update: Three newsroom employees — a sports reporter, a web producer and a designer — accepted the buyout offer. Three more newsroom employees — two researchers and the paper’s wire editor — were laid off. Two open reporting positions also were eliminated. “In addition, we renegotiated lower rates with most of our syndicates and wire services, and reduced expenses as much as possible elsewhere in an effort to protect as many positions as possible,” Editor Arnie Robbins wrote in a memo to employees. (09.07.11)
Source: Post-Dispatch memo

Full disclosure: I work at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Springfield News-Leader: 30

Posted 08.05.11 • 2011 layoffs, Paper Cuts

Springfield, Mo.
Owner: Gannett Co. Inc.
Effective: June 21, 2011

As part of 700 cuts across Gannett, Gannett Blog reports 30 employees were laid off. Do you know more? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Source: Gannett Blog

Blue Springs Journal: Unknown

Posted 07.27.11 • 2011 layoffs, Paper Cuts

Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Owner: The McClatchy Co.
Effective: May 11, 2011

The 3-year-old weekly paper has closed. “While the Blue Springs Journal doesn’t have nearly the tenure of other area newspapers, our mission and goals are the same — to accurately report on news at the community level,” Publisher John Beaudoin wrote in a note on the paper’s website. “I believe the Journal did just that.

“Our economy and evolving industry have forced us to become slimmer from a cost standpoint and more critical when evaluating business models that work. The Blue Springs Journal is a victim of the latter.”

Beaudoin did not say how many employees would be laid off. Do you know more? Leave a comment or send me an email: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Emailed tips are anonymous.
Sources: Blue Springs Journal via Bottom Line Communications

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Editor’s note

In April 2012, I left the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the newspaper industry. After a couple of months off from this website, I'm now working on catching up. The map will be updated last; the total is current. Tips and questions are always welcome: newspaperlayoffs@gmail.com. Thanks. Erica

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