Dramatic cuts needed at Chron, says Hearst

Guild set to meet with management

24 Feb 2009

California Media Workers Guild

Considering the worsening economic climate, the dire situation faced by the newspaper industry, and the continuing losses at the Chronicle, today’s sudden announcement by Hearst management comes as no surprise.

Guild leaders plan to meet tomorrow morning with Hearst and San Francisco Chronicle management to hear its cost-cutting proposals. The company has said it expects a “significant reduction” in staff but has not yet offered any details.

The Guild will work to protect its members, to keep The Chronicle open and to preserve our high standards of journalistic integrity. A free press is integral to a democratic society and makes good business sense as well.

As soon as we get any new information, we will post it here on mediaworkers.org. We will hold a general membership meeting soon, but, at this point, we have no specific information on any company proposals.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please e-mail Unit Chair Michelle Devera, Local President Mike Cabanatuan or Unit Secretary Alissa Van Cleave. The phone lines are jammed at the Guild office.

In solidarity,

Michelle Devera, Unit chair, michelleatsfchronunit@gmail.com
Mike Cabanatuan, Local president, ctuan@aol.com
Alissa Van Cleave, Unit secretary, vancleave44@hotmail.com