ProJo buyout falls short of goal; Questions remain

Published Aug 21 2008, 11:42 AM by Ian Donnis

Twenty-two Providence Journal employees -- 12 in news and 10 in advertising -- have taken the company up on its latest buyout, leaving unanswered for now the question of whether the newspaper will resort to layoffs to reach its target of eliminating at least 35 jobs.

As reported here yesterday, two of the big names who are leaving early next month are political reporter Scott MacKay, a 24-year veteran, and the versatile Mark Arsenault, a 10-year scribe. Since Arsenault has covered politics at times, these departures, coupled with that of political columnist M. Charles Bakst, represent a serious loss for the ProJo's traditionally strong political coverage.

Each of these reporters has imbued the Journal with some of the texture of Rhode Island, of its politics and its quirks, its charms and its flaws.

In terms of how the post-buyout Journal will structure its political coverage, including the question of whether it will fill Bakst's position, "Everyone has questions, but we don't have the answers yet," says Providence Newspaper Guild administrator Tim Schick.

I'll post an update if acting editor Tom Heslin and publisher Howard Sutton choose to speak with me about the buyout.

According to a newgroup e-mail circulated among Guild members,

The Guild expects to hear from the company by the end of next week on whether additional staff cuts are necessary. If they are, the Guild and the company will need to discuss how additional reduction will occur.

Below is the list of job titles where the company has offered buyouts. The first number preceding the title is the number of people who have applied for the buyout in that classification. The second number is the maximum positions the company is willing to cut for that job title.

Advertising

1 - 3 Advertising Sales Representatives (print & on-line)

0 - 1 Assistant Telephone Room Manager

5 - 5 Inside telephone Sales

0 - 2 Sales Assistants

2 - 2 Advertising Promotion Specialists

0 - 1 Promotion Assistant

1 - 2 Secretaries

1 - 1 Publications Clerk

News

2 - 5 Section Editors

0 - 4 Copy Editors

2 - 5 Columnist/Special Writers

4 - 4 Reporters (print & on-line)

0 - 2 Artists

0 - 2 Photo Editor/Designers

0 - 4 Photographers

0 - 1 Visual Technician

2 - 3 Departmental Assistants

1 - 2 Library Assistants

0 - 2 State Staff Office Assistants

1 - 3 Editorial Assistants

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13 Comments

Rob said:

What about Patinkin?? Have not seen anything from him since August 3...

August 21, 2008 12:42 PM
Ian Donnis said:

To the best of my knowledge, he's not among those taking the buyout.

August 21, 2008 1:00 PM
Anne said:

Is Peter Lord staying?

Also, what's the deal with this new R.I. Business Quarterly thing they're partnering with the Chamber of Commerce on?

rinexus.com/.../providence-chamber-launches-new-magazine

August 21, 2008 3:00 PM
Joe Ouellette said:

I can't say that I'm all that dissapointed Charlie Bakst is leaving. The column he did on Cicillines' brothers "going to jail" party wasn't all that good.

August 21, 2008 3:26 PM
Ian Donnis said:

Anne, I'm told that no other "big names" among the news staff beyond those I've already identified are leaving.

Joe, judging a columnist based on one column? C'mon. Charlie has a wealth of political knowledge. And regardless of whether one agrees with his viewpoint, his public-minded coverage has been an important part of the ProJo.

August 21, 2008 3:48 PM
rhody said:

I hope Charlie reads the above comment. God knows, the man could use a good laugh.

August 22, 2008 1:07 AM
Ian Donnis said:

Note: the comment to which Rhody referred was deleted for offensive content.

Joe, I think Bakst's writing about Cicilline has been more multi-faceted than you suggest.

August 22, 2008 9:48 AM
Joe Ouellette said:

Ian: Yes, you may be right. And I can't say I've read all of his stuff.

Exactly how has Charlie been critical of Cicilline?

August 22, 2008 10:25 AM
Ian Donnis said:

He panned Cicilline's post-snowstorm news conference performance.

He was critical of Cicilline having gone to the time for his brother.

August 22, 2008 10:52 AM

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ProJo buyout falls short of goal; Questions remain

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