THE SPP CLOSURE
Dear friends:
It is with great frustration and a heavy heart that we learn today that some 500 of our colleagues at The Inquirer will lose their jobs as a result of the Company’s decision to end printing operations by the end of the year and send that work to Gannett in Cherry Hill.
These people have dedicated themselves — some for decades — to helping produce the best damn newspapers in the country.
This business decision will impact one Guild employee. One or 1,000 makes no difference. Every loss hurts.
The closing of SPP will not result in any additional job losses in circulation, customer service, advertising, finance or the newsroom.
Bill Ross and I were told in a meeting this morning that SPP amounts to $19.3 million in operational expenses.
The Company continues to ask us if we have heard from any other buyout takers from the newsroom and plans to meet with us next week on next steps. I intend to argue that with the savings resulting from the termination of our entire print operation, the newsroom should not have to lose any additional people involuntarily.
The news goes on. Our coverage is needed. Enough with the cuts, already.
We’ll get back to you on ways in which we can help our colleagues in the other unions. We welcome all ideas.
As always, send any questions, thoughts, or concerns our way,
In solidarity,
Diane
