Exclusive: Montreal Gazette buyout memo

A couple of weeks ago in this space, we pointed to a story about buyouts being offered to employees of The Montreal Gazette. Publisher Alan Allnutt had sent an internal memo about this to the editorial staff of the paper. Since we couldn't locate a copy online, we publicly requested someone sent us one directly.

An anonymous emailer has since granted our wish. Here's the complete English version of Allnutt's message from Halloween, a Fading To Black exclusive:


POSTING

TO ALL EDITORIAL EMPLOYEES

OCTOBER 31, 2007

Following a study of our newsroom and considering the state of our market, circulation and readership and other economic factors, we have come to the conclusion that the size of our newsroom must be reduced while minimizing impact on the quality of the product we publish.

The Guild has been informed of the situation, including the magnitude of the savings we must make and of the approach we intend to take to avoid layoffs.

It is our intention to make every effort to avoid the layoff of regular employees and to accomplish as many staff reductions as possible through employees voluntarily leaving their employment with The Gazette.

To that end, The Gazette is offering enhanced severance to Editorial employees interested in voluntarily leaving their employment.

This offer is made to Editorial employees only, and is based on a very simple formula:

4.5 weeks of salary per year of service, maximum of 78 weeks.

This is offered to all Editorial employees on the same basis.

All interested employees will be considered, though the needs of the news operation will have to be considered in each case.

Severance will be payable as a lump sum and some of it may be transferred to RRSPs with no deduction at source.

For more information, contact Cathy Trottier at local 2208 or Ray Brassard. This offer is valid until November 16, 2007.

The Publisher