Three times a loser

By Lou Grant | Aug 18, 10:35 PM

Earlier I'd noted the 60 Chicago Tribune employees terminated on August 8. 37 of the people were in Editorial, the other 23 were in other departments. In addition to the 60 let go that day, Editorial accepted voluntary layoffs of an additional 30 employees before the 8th.

Editorial was hit hard.

In fact, as you read about the situation, you forget there were other people involved, "more than 40 colleagues at the Tribune were told goodbye. More than 30 others were told to exit last week, after stepping up to leave voluntarily. The departures are part of a Tribune down-sizing measure to cut costs," according to Chicago Tribune writer Manya Brachear.

"The Tribune Casualty List: Here's an unofficial but more or less complete list of editorial employees the Tribune is leaving behind...," Michael Miner wrote in his Chicago Reader Blog.

Only TellZell.com mentioned there were more casualties. But it did not list people who are not in editorial, "You'll find below a list of a couple dozen names of the 80 or so people who have either been fired or were given a buyout by the Chicago Tribune this week."

I'm trying to sort out when this sort of arrogance is otherwise acceptable to journalists. For example, when airlines layoff pilots and others, do they single out the pilots? Sometimes. When a hospital or health service, such as Cook County, layoff employees, are doctors and nurses given special treatment? Sometimes.

However, usually, the layoffs are discussed in terms of the total numbers, including the number of pilots or doctors or nurses, etc.

Also, the terms of the "involuntary separation" have not been discussed anywhere. The Tribune is not paying these former employees any separation, severance or benefits. If the employees agree to provide the Tribune Co. with a blanket immunity from future suits, however, they will receive a payout to their non-taxable retirement accounts equal to one week for each six months worked, to a maximum of 52 weeks; the right to purchase their health benefits at the employee rate for up to three months; and out-placement services.

In other words, these employees were called in on Friday, August 8th and terminated. And, they received nothing for their service. And in return for a one-way immunity, they'll receive minimal help.