Survival Tip: Talk to the Media
« PREV
|
NEXT »: A Battle Not Worth Fighting?
Another American statistic in these troubled times . . .
Those of us who write for a living tend to think of the current crisis in journalism in terms of writers. There is, of course, a lot more to the story, as Jerry Condit's email reminds. Jerry until recently was employed by MediaNews' L.A. Daily News.
"I've been meaning to get back to you. I was 're-assigned' right out the door a month ago. With all of the layoffs and 200 more to come, I knew it was only a matter of time before they got around to me. Many have gone before me. The Daily News is going to outsource its printing operations to a private printing company in Gardena so everybody that's been connected with the printing end of things in Valencia is getting the boot, about 200 of them. I know that there has been more re-organizing in my classified department, which was Automotive.
"I left in good standing, was given some OK severance with an eligibility for rehire. I'd been with the paper for nine years but, quite frankly, because of the work I did (Sales Coordinator) I don't miss the job itself, just the paycheck, benefits, and some of my colleagues. Not sure what direction I'm heading. Unemployment insurance is good for 26 weeks but I know the stimulus package has a provision for a twenty week extension, which a few million of us are probably going to need. I have nothing to fall back on and I'm trying to figure things out. I'm studying for the CBEST exam which I failed miserably on ten years ago but back then I didn't prepare either. I used to substitute teach in a private school years ago. I'm 59 years old and that is making the job hunt even more difficult.
"So, that's where I am, just another American statistic in these troubled times. Things ain't going to get any better soon and all papers in the country are hanging by a thread. The LA Times is in miserable shape too ... I'm sure the Mercury News isn't doing well, either. Be glad you had your teaching to fall back on."
"I've been meaning to get back to you. I was 're-assigned' right out the door a month ago. With all of the layoffs and 200 more to come, I knew it was only a matter of time before they got around to me. Many have gone before me. The Daily News is going to outsource its printing operations to a private printing company in Gardena so everybody that's been connected with the printing end of things in Valencia is getting the boot, about 200 of them. I know that there has been more re-organizing in my classified department, which was Automotive.
"I left in good standing, was given some OK severance with an eligibility for rehire. I'd been with the paper for nine years but, quite frankly, because of the work I did (Sales Coordinator) I don't miss the job itself, just the paycheck, benefits, and some of my colleagues. Not sure what direction I'm heading. Unemployment insurance is good for 26 weeks but I know the stimulus package has a provision for a twenty week extension, which a few million of us are probably going to need. I have nothing to fall back on and I'm trying to figure things out. I'm studying for the CBEST exam which I failed miserably on ten years ago but back then I didn't prepare either. I used to substitute teach in a private school years ago. I'm 59 years old and that is making the job hunt even more difficult.
"So, that's where I am, just another American statistic in these troubled times. Things ain't going to get any better soon and all papers in the country are hanging by a thread. The LA Times is in miserable shape too ... I'm sure the Mercury News isn't doing well, either. Be glad you had your teaching to fall back on."
Leave a comment