June 3, 2008
More layoffs at Blethen Maine Newspapers
By The Mainebiz News Staff
Blethen Maine Newspapers, which publishes the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, will issue its second round of layoffs since March to cope with a decline in advertising revenue.
Blethen, part of the Seattle Times Co., said Friday it will cut up to 35 full- and part-time positions at its Portland newspaper and MaineToday.com. The cuts take effect July 1, according to a memo Blethen management sent staff on Friday. Blethen cut 27 positions in March, just as the Seattle Times Co. said it would sell the Maine newspapers.
Meanwhile, the Portland Newspaper Guild, a union that represents about 300 Blethen staffers, has dropped plans to buy Blethens Maine holdings, which also includes the Central Maine Morning Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal, because members didn't want to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Blethen, C.J. Betit, administrative officer for the union, told Mainebiz this morning. An agreement would have kept the union from talking about Blethen finances with potential backers. Betit said the Seattle Times Co. has found three potential buyers for its Maine papers.
Blethen, part of the Seattle Times Co., said Friday it will cut up to 35 full- and part-time positions at its Portland newspaper and MaineToday.com. The cuts take effect July 1, according to a memo Blethen management sent staff on Friday. Blethen cut 27 positions in March, just as the Seattle Times Co. said it would sell the Maine newspapers.
Meanwhile, the Portland Newspaper Guild, a union that represents about 300 Blethen staffers, has dropped plans to buy Blethens Maine holdings, which also includes the Central Maine Morning Sentinel and the Kennebec Journal, because members didn't want to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Blethen, C.J. Betit, administrative officer for the union, told Mainebiz this morning. An agreement would have kept the union from talking about Blethen finances with potential backers. Betit said the Seattle Times Co. has found three potential buyers for its Maine papers.
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