"I hope the needed savings can be achieved through voluntary buyouts but if not, I will be forced to go to layoffs among the excluded staff.  I expect that I will have to reduce the excluded staff by about 30 positions,” Ms. Abramson wrote last week. "Excluded staff" means editors and management who are not members of the Newspaper Guild.But a few weeks ago, publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. told the advertising side that 30 excluded staff members from its ranks were being invited to volunteer for buyouts. Which brings the total to 60.

The Newspaper Guild was assured that there won't be any union member layoffs ("at this time," at least). But the Times, following the guild's request, is extending the buyout invitation to union members.

Unfortunately, any union members who choose to take voluntary buyouts won't count toward the 60-person target, according to the Post. And if that target isn't hit? Mandatory layoffs.

Brrrrrrr.