Jackson Free Press

Twelve employees at The Clarion-Ledger are considering early retirement buyouts. The Gannett-owned daily newspaper continues to shrink as it loses its most experienced staffers.

The early retirement option was offered to some, but not all, Gannett employees nationwide who are 56-years-old with 20 years of service with the company. For every year the employee worked for Gannett, he or she will get two weeks pay. So an employee who worked at The Clarion-Ledger for 20 years can expect 40 weeks of pay—with benefits.

WLBT website's headline, "Newspaper employees forced into early retirement," is incorrect. No one is being forced out. It's a voluntary buyout with benefits. Eligible employees who do not take the buyout, however, could find themselves laid off in the future without the cushion of a severance package.

Previous Commentsshow

So, what's the deal here? Will Gannett hire new, younger (lower-paid) people, or just work with smaller staffs, do you think?

lizwaibel

Feb 15 2012

They will hire new, younger, cheaper, inexperienced people AND work with a smaller staff.

Valerie Wells

Feb 15 2012

The CL has been bled so much. The Cleveland brothers appear to be on the way out. I enjoy Rick's columns more than anything else in the paper. I'm not an outdoorsman but Bobby's articles and columns have made me interested enough to read them. I think forced is an appropriate term for what is going on. Here's a "nice" buyout package for you or we will lay you off. You decide.

KendallVarnell

Feb 18 2012