Los Angeles Times staffers have not been blessed with the same good news that the New York Times newsroom received today.
As rumored, Russ Stanton, editor of The Los Angeles Times, announced this morning that 75 people are being laid off. It’s the third round of job cuts for the paper this year, and will lower the newsroom head count to about 650 people. Their newsroom had 1,200 people seven years ago.
LA Observed has the memo:
Colleagues,
The growing economic downturn is forcing us to undergo another round of job reductions and cost cuts. I deeply regret to report that today, 75 of our friends, colleagues and capable staff members in Editorial will be told that they are losing their jobs. This is about 10% of our total staff and these cuts are comparable in scale to those made on the business side of The Times last week.
The severance terms being offered to our colleagues are similar to those offered in the other reductions we’ve faced this year.
I appreciate your patience, understanding and cooperation during this difficult period. Your department heads and the senior editing team, including John, Davan, Meredith and I, are available to hear your concerns and answer any questions.
Russ Stanton
Editor
Los Angeles Times