Jackson Free Press

Dozens of Mississippians lost their jobs this week in layers of irony. Mississippi Department of Employment—the agency that helps people who get fired or laid off—said Wednesday that it will lay off 40 employees at the end of July. The day before, Gannett Co. Inc. laid off 10 Clarion-Ledger employees, several media blogs reported, part of the 700-plus job cuts the corporation made this week nationwide.

The Clarion-Ledger published a story about the MDES layoffs this week, but so far has not reported its own losses. Publisher Leslie Hurst and Editor Ronnie Agnew were not immediately available to comment this morning.

MDES is spreading its layoffs over 23 offices around the state. Most offices are losing only one employee, but the main office in Jackson is losing 10. Another 34 temporary workers will also lose their jobs with MDES. The state agency has no plans to close any of its offices or cut its services.

"We're disappointed to lose team members, but this is a very necessary step to maintain the financial health of our organization," Les Range, MDES executive director, said in a statement. "No local offices will be closed."

LaRaye Brown, the MDES spokeswoman, sent the news release. Brown is a former Clarion-Ledger reporter.

Jim Hopkins, a former business editor at Gannett's flagship paper, USA Today, posted this week's Gannett layoffs on Gannett Blog (gannettblog.blogspot.com) as readers sent in reports from across the country. Gannett Blog reported 10 layoffs (four in the newsroom) at the Clarion-Ledger and two job cuts at the Hattiesburg American. The two Hattiesburg positions are open and won't be filled, so no Hattiesburg American employee lost a job this week.

Gannett Blog also posted a memo--supposedly sent from Hurst to Clarion-Ledger employees--explaining the "reduction in force" orders.

"Please know that the Operating Committee and I feel very deeply the anxiety and pain this causes the entire workforce, not only those affected but those who have worked with them side by side," the memo reads.

The memo goes on: "We will continue to focus on our 2011 Operational Plan (see strategic goals posted around the building) and the local controllable business that we can impact. We will continue to work our plan to improve revenues and I hope that all of you will take to heart the strategic objectives of the organization and work toward that end."

At the end of the long memo, she writes: "Please know that your colleagues affected today are not being let go for any performance issue; we must restructure to align our costs with current revenue trends."

Hurst became The Clarion-Ledger in December. Before that, she was publisher of The Daily Advertiser, another Gannett paper, in Lafayette, La. While there, she oversaw a "reduction in force" that sliced a 45-person newsroom to a crew of 23.

Disclaimer: This writer is a former Gannett employee who worked at the Hattiesburg American for two years.

Previous Comments

ID

163887

Comment

It's sad that our economy has gotten literally out of control and in my opinion our current administration will bankrupt it completely. If enough people are jobless and have no income then people will revolt and cry out for assistance from the government. Even republicans will do what they have to do to feed their families. Then we can become the socialist nation the president has dreamed of from day one. Way to go America! We showed the world what a real melting pot we are by electing a man with no background, no experience whatsoever, and beliefs that seem to be contrary to everything this country was founded on. But to publicly state that made you a racist so no one dared go against the great leader of hope and change who betrayed even those who put him in office. I realize that my opinion is in the vast minority in this paper but it is just that, my opinion. I believe the combination of those of you who wanted to pick the "trendy" candidate and the republicans who just didn't like McCain so they chose not to vote, have literally destroyed this country. The man had no traceable past to let anyone know where he stood on anything and you people made him your damned PRESIDENT!!! It wasn't a black or white thing it was a what does he stand for thing. Now we know and God help us if the same people who voted him in the first time are still as clueless as you were then. If you don't know the candidate then stay your ass at home next November. I'm not sure it matters because I think this country has gone far past the point of no return thanks to this administration and George Soros. Before you start calling me names google George Soros and get a quick education as to who he is and his connection with your president. He may own this paper I don't really know but either way America is over and let me quote Michelle Obama in saying I'm ashamed of this country now.

Author

Alex0393

Date

2011-06-25T23:48:20-06:00

ID

163891

Comment

Um, okay. I just can't even go there. Really, Cloward-Piven? This is what we're sitting on now? Bless your heart. Go back to the CL and hunker down with the other wing nuts.

Author

Lori G

Date

2011-06-27T09:07:08-06:00

ID

163892

Comment

Ha, Donna to counter the Soros reference with a Koch brothers comment in 3...2...1...

Author

RobbieR

Date

2011-06-27T09:09:25-06:00

ID

163893

Comment

I love the implication that George Soros owns the JFP. If that's the case, I'm asking for a raise. Now. Of course, then the rumor went around town that Rupert Murdoch owned the paper, I put in a request to him for raises for the whole staff. And what do you know: I didn't hear back.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-06-27T09:30:30-06:00

ID

163895

Comment

@Ronni and @donna--I will admit that I sort of crafted this seething and witty reply (we always do when it doesn't get posted, right?) and was JUST about to hit "Submit" but I read it and realized it sounded just REALLY rational and well-read.;) Then I felt sorry for Ole Alex and erased it. The absolute CRAZY CRAP I'm reading on the CL comments (Soros, CP Strategy, etc) is just really starting to make my head spin. Its getting NUTS out there! If you do find out that Soros owns the paper, please let ME know. Hell, I'll FIND a way to ask for some money!! :P

Author

Lori G

Date

2011-06-27T09:44:24-06:00

ID

163896

Comment

Unless Todd is his long-lost son, Lori, I don't think it's going to happen. So don't get your hopes up. And that is what you get for reading the trash-comments on the Ledger site. I stopped doing that years back with rare exception.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-06-27T11:01:43-06:00

ID

163898

Comment

@ Alex093 "We showed the world what a real melting pot we are by electing a man with no background, no experiences........" Please refer to the following link for enlightenment. http/www.youtube.com/user/PalesInComparison#p/u This is priceless!! Mr. Alex, "you have GOT to be JOKING"!

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-27T15:03:56-06:00

ID

163899

Comment

when you type in the web address, click on YouTubePalesInComparison's Channel. Sorry, I don't know how to give you the link wherin you can just simply click on. Iif anyone can, please do.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-27T15:10:45-06:00

ID

163901

Comment

This is the correct link, JustJess: http://www.youtube.com/user/PalesInComparison Alex seems very confused -- I bet he doesn't know what "socialism" actually means. And, no, Alex, the president has not advocated for it. You've been listening to way too much wingnut media. It reminds me of a very sad exchange I had with some good people recently on vacation. They told me that President Obama is not a Christian because (a) he stopped the national day of prayer and (b) he prayed with Muslims recently. Turns out both talking points are urban myths -- or outright lies -- being pushed by the wingnuttery that is trying to take over our nation right now. Here's Snopes on the National Day of Prayer lie. President Obama praying at a mosque And more Obama lies debunked here. Folks, you have to stop believing everything some crazy sends to your email box. Truly. Criticize the president based on facts, not cowardly stuff like some people make up and send around to try to scare people and make them hate a good man.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2011-06-27T16:58:51-06:00

ID

163902

Comment

Just say no to Fox News and the likes and everything will soon look a whole lot better, Alex. Who do you think should lead us Alex? Mitchell Romney, Michelle "Crazy-Eyes' Bachmann (who incidentally is the most entertaining thus far," Sarah Palin, Newt or Christie or whom? What policies are needed, Alex. How do we fix things?

Author

Walt

Date

2011-06-27T17:51:16-06:00

ID

163917

Comment

Thanks, Donna and also for the links you added. I wish that people would criticize the President on what he says and does, rather than what is void of fact and evidence and based on racial stereotypes.

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-28T13:37:07-06:00

ID

163920

Comment

...and speaking of "Layoffs", I just heard the news about Dr. Edwards, Superindentent of JPS, losing his fight for contract renewal. The bombshell was dropped with the announcement of Dr. Jane Sergent being hired as an interim replacementfor for one year. Is the Jackson Public School Board suffering from amnesia? How soon we forget. Just remember that no SHIP reaches it PORT by sailing BACKWARDS!

Author

justjess

Date

2011-06-28T15:48:33-06:00