June 18, 2015

2015 Layoffs: Round 2

16 Layoffs From NYC Newsroom

UPDATE - JUNE 19 — Dow Jones management has delivered layoff notices to the Union. 16 IAPE-represented positions have been eliminated from the New York newsroom of The Wall Street Journal. The IAPE layoff list has been updated.

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Today, another shoe fell. It's still too early to say whether it was "the" other shoe. We all fear there may be others. How many shoes does this Company have?

Dow Jones management still has not delivered layoff notices to the Union, but we have all seen or heard the news — either through our own and other media outlets or from the missive delivered this afternoon by Gerry Baker (to all "News staff"). Little more than two weeks after the announcement of the elimination of IAPE-represented positions in Sales and Circulation departments, Dow Jones has targeted News operations for world-wide staff cuts.

"(W)e need to continue to produce and even increase the news and information that is most valuable to subscribers and potential subscribers," Baker said in his email. "The Journal and Newswires have always had this goal as their aim."

And then, this: "As we approach a new fiscal year, it's time to make significant changes to position us to achieve these goals."

Thud.

Baker went on to describe "a streamlining of our operations" and the shutdown of certain bureaus overseas. And in New York, the elimination of staff positions in Small Business, Economics and Money & Investing (part of Personal Finance) departments.

A rough count of people summoned to layoff meetings today at 1211 AOA produced estimates of eleven IAPE-represented positions eliminated. Maybe 30 jobs cut in total. We'll find out soon enough. We'll also find out whether the rumors of additional cuts to come will reach 100 in total, as some have guessed.

Thud.

In the meantime, IAPE — your Union — will review all layoff notices delivered to Union-represented colleagues, just as we do whenever this Company chooses layoff as a quick-fix for all its woes.

Baker looks forward to "an exciting and prosperous future." Pardon us for not sharing in the jubilation as we watch our friends clean out their desks.

Again.

Thud.