Newspapers lay off 18 employees
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
AUGUSTA — Eighteen people at Central Maine Newspapers, publisher of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel, have been laid off as the two newspapers seek to cut costs.
"There's been a downturn in advertising revenue, and it's going into the third year. It's almost completely in classified advertising and it's concentrated in the 'help wanted' ads," said John Christie, the newspapers' president.
Revenues in that area are off 60 to 70 percent, he said. Newspapers generate most of their income through classified and display advertising, and from subscription sales.
Christie said the layoffs in Augusta and Waterville represent the equivalent of 15 1/2 full-time positions. Most of the affected workers were notified Thursday, Friday and Monday.
Before the layoffs, the newspapers employed about 250 people in various departments.
"Readers should see no significant difference in the newspapers," Christie said. No staff reporters lost their jobs and the revenue-generating sales staff remains strong, he said.
The workers who were laid off will receive severance pay packages and they have been encouraged to attend a career forum Wednesday at the Augusta Career Center.
The state Department of Labor, which routinely conducts the sessions for displaced workers, helps attendees seek new jobs and also offers advice on unemployment compensation claims and other possible benefits.
Christie said the recent closings of companies in central Maine have had a ripple-down effect on the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. He said the newspapers will continue to cut costs by eliminating management incentive pay and by reducing travel expenses and supply purchases.