(January 8, 2009) -- The Southern CA Media Guild blog says layoffs announced at the Press-Telegram today hit news-photog Scott Smeltzer, reporter Brenda Duran and online content producer Joe Dickson.
Just weeks ago, reporter Duran broke the story of the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Norwalk's Mayor by that city's Parks & Rec director.
Mr. Smeltzer, an award-winning photog who worked for the PT since 2007, is the sole breadwinner for his wife and infant child, the Media Guild blog said.
Communications Workers of America Local 9400/Southern CA Media Guild issued the following statement via Vicki Di Paolo:
The continued dismantling of Long Beach's paper of record should concern every member of our community. We are witnessing the destruction of a civic institution that has served the people of Long Beach for over a century, and now the reporting of community events that are important to readers is in jeopardy.
The Press-Telegram's newsroom staff has been reduced from 101 in 2003 to 26 in 2008 and now this week, the employer has eliminated three more dedicated, talented employees, leaving just 10 reporters and 4 photographers to cover our city, a place that half a million people call home. Over the last two years, while in contract negotiations employees have worked without a raise, and under the constant threat of losing their jobs.
In these uncertain times, the experience and industry knowledge of our members is essential to P-T readers. We believe that quality need not be sacrificed on the altar of short-term profits, and that newspaper efficiencies can be achieved with locally-based experts rather than inexpensive and inexperienced stand-ins with little or no connection to our community and its citizens.
We need readers, advertisers, civic leaders, and city and community representatives to continue to stand with us and demand that the P-T provide quality local news that serves the needs of our city, and honor the commitment of its staff by settling its contract with its unionized workers that provides job security and decent wages.
Layoffs were also announced at the co-owned southbay Daily Breeze and the SFV/L.A. Daily News.
At early evening, LBReport.com invited a statement from the company; we'll provide it here when received.