McClatchy cuts not being done on equal basis

McClatchy's plan to cut 10% of its workforce, or some 1,400 jobs, is not being implemented with equal damage everywhere, according to local newspapers, Joe Strupp reports in Editor & Publisher. . While The Miami Herald is being hit with a 17% staff cut, others, such as The Sun News in Myrtle Beach, S.C., are seeing less pain, with a 3.6% cutback.

The highly praised McClatchy (was Knight Ridder) Washington, D.C., bureau, meanwhile, is not losing any jobs during this round, according to Howard Weaver, McClatchy's vice president/news. "The bureau is smaller than it used to be, and it covers things differently," Weaver told E&P. "I think the editors realize it is a valuable contributor to them."

At local papers, meanwhile, the companywide cutback announced Monday is being felt with varying levels of pain, an approach Weaver contends is the fairest way to handle the economic problems. "There is a huge swing," he said about the implementation. "We have had some departments that haven’t had to lay anyone off, and others that are considerable."

Ann Caulkins, publisher and president of the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, which announced it would reduced its workforce by 123 positions, or about 11.1%, said that is the fairest approach: "It depends on the local properties and where they are financially," she said. "You have to ask them to make adjustments accordingly."

Most newspaper editors and publishers declined to comment, instead referring to memos or Monday stories about the cutbacks.