One-Week Furlough Ordered for MediaNews California Newspapers

MediaNews issued a statement today that non-union employees at all California properties will be required to take one-week unpaid furlough by the end of March, in order to lower expenses. Managers will have to take two weeks unpaid leave within the same period.

The company is interested in implementing furloughs for their union employees but such a move, it's timing and terms, must be negotiated with the Guild. [Click for MORE]

> Landmark Combining Wage Freeze With Chain-Wide Unpaid Furloughs
> Hutchinson News cuts staff, cites profit decline Sphere: Related Content

Red Ink Will Spur Change at Newspapers

One thing is certain about the newspaper industry: It is going to look very different two years from now.

The recession will fast-forward a restructuring that had to happen because of the decline caused by the switching of ad dollars to the Internet. But without a sharp economic downturn it might have taken many years.

More than 20% of the newspaper industry -- measured by daily circulation -- is currently in financial distress. Publishers including Tribune, McClatchy, Lee Enterprises, Journal-Register, MediaNews Group and Freedom Communications are carrying heavy loads of debt given their fast-shrinking revenues. [Click for MORE] Sphere: Related Content