Afternoon report
* Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News owners “>are seeking $8 million in cost cuts from the papers’ Guild unit through wage cuts of up to 13% and buyouts. The union leaders’ response:
We understand that revenue is down, but also question why a group of successful local businessmen did not anticipate this possibility when they bought the company in April and pledged to invest “patient capital” and revitalize the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com.
[CEO Bob] Hall said management and all the unions need to work together as partners to achieve these savings and ensure ongoing survival of the papers, the company and our jobs. What Mr. Hall knows, and what you know, is that unlike the other unions whose contracts expire Oct. 8, 2012, the Newspaper Guild contract is in force through Oct. 8, 2013.
We are in no hurry to bargain a concessionary agreement and cause more pain on our members and their families. We are not interested in being used as the company’s bargaining chip with the other union workers who help produce and deliver our newspapers.
The papers’ new owners took over in April.
UPDATE: Read CEO Bob Hall’s letter to Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News employees.
A total of $28 million in cuts proposed at Philly papers (phillymag.com)
* Critic: What exactly is Aaron Sorkin mad about, and is his anger justified? (cagle.com)
* More on the NAHJ tweeting flap at last week’s UNITY conference. (cjr.org)
Matthew Boyle
* How the Daily Caller’s Matthew Boyle can improve his TV appearances. (Fishbowl DC)
* Judy Woodruff is named recipient of the 2012 Gaylord Prize for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication. (TulsaWorld.com)
* A preview of New York magazine’s new women’s interest website. (capitalnewyork.com)
* Will the iPad Mini save the newspaper industry? (Wasn’t the iPad “classic” supposed to do that?) (ipad.blorge.com)
