LOSS OF CONFIDENCE
Dear Guild Members,
As I said I would when I first alerted you to the latest job eliminations at The Inquirer, I’m back to say more now that our efforts to get the company to reconsider those cuts and/or improve the separation packages for our eight impacted colleagues have concluded.
And no, we did not succeed at getting any of the cuts overturned. Some people have left already. Others opted to stay a little longer, one person to fulfill her obligation to her mentee in the Acel Moore Workshop, which graduates its latest class of participants April 5.
That’s just classic, the kind of dedication each of the eight has shown to The Inquirer during tenures that range from three years to nearly 45. Their forced buyouts (their other option was a layoff for less money and health care) are not personal, company officials have said, but rather a business decision (allegedly driven by economics but premised on a scoring system that the eight were not privy to and, based on comments from many of you, are something you hadn’t heard of. I know I hadn’t.)
The headline of this bulletin is a reflection of what many of you have expressed since these cuts became known. You have said you have lost confidence — in understanding what it takes to avoid such taps on the shoulder informing you your services are no longer needed, in knowing what exactly the journalism direction of The Inquirer is, in believing that participation in company committees and commitment to the craft will protect you from seemingly indiscriminate job loss. (Hell, not even showing commitment to The Inquirer and Philadelphia by recently moving here and buying a house spared one of the eight.)
Your questions are valid. I don’t have answers to any of them.
I have communicated what I know about this process. You have asked why the company hasn’t done the same. I simply don’t know why and invite you to use the upcoming newsroom meeting on March 27 to attempt to get your questions answered. You will get an invitation from the company to submit those questions in advance, which can be done anonymously if you prefer. Your shop stewards also can convey those questions for you.
If you want a membership meeting before that meeting, just let us know.
At the last newsroom meeting, on Feb. 27, I asked why the company had not yet issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in light of the threats to DEI emerging under the new presidential administration. Shortly after that meeting, this was the answer that I was provided:
“The company, at every quarterly meeting, including the one last month, presents its DEI initiatives and updates on where we are. This has been the case for 18 straight quarters. In the company’s view, the commitment to DEI is plain, clear and regularly reinforced.”
One week later, eight newsroom staffers were informed their jobs were being eliminated, half of whom were people of color. “Plain, clear.”
You might have lost confidence in knowing whether you are valued at The Inquirer. Please don’t let any institution ever have that kind of power over you and your perception of your worth.
In solidarity and appreciation,
Diane
