Layoff funds distributed to four

On Nov. 1, a $1,000 check was sent to each of four former Akron Beacon Journal newsroom employees. The criteria for receiving a check was 1) those who were among the original employees targeted for layoff and 2) were still unemployed as of Nov. 1. It did not matter if the employees declined an opportunity to return, especially since the company has repeatedly asserted there could be more layoffs in 2007 and these people would be at risk yet
again.

There is roughly $2,500 remaining in the fund, which collected a total of about $6,500, including about $750 from an auction of Beacon Journal memorabilia. The Layoff Fund Committee will contact the four employees again on Dec. 1 and make a decision as to how to distribute the remaining funds.

See the Beacon Journal Retirees web site for a list of auction winners. The winners' list will be removed from the web site next week.