Dozens of layoffs announced at two major local newspapers
Posted March 24, 2017 12:02 pm.
Last Updated March 24, 2017 12:08 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Dozens of layoff notices have been handed out in both The Province and The Vancouver Sun newsrooms today.
Unifor Local 2000, which represents reporters and photographers, says Postmedia has announced it anticipates 54 layoffs, in addition to 38 buyouts in January — a staff reduction of 42 per cent. As many as 29 people in the newsrooms are being let go. The union says it plans to fight the layoffs.
“Discussions about bumping will continue for the next two weeks. The list and information we received from the company is not complete and we have informed the company of that fact. We know that we will hear from members that receive notices today about their work history and informed the Company we will bring that information forward in our discussions,” says Unifor Local 2000 President Brian Gibson.
The union says the job losses are unnecessary and will undermine journalism in BC. It claims with the papers’ owner Postmedia reporting almost $18 million in profits and after more than $2 million in executive bonuses.
