Copy Desk Consolidation: Big Work News

Well, here's the news from the big work meeting: the newspaper is consolidating the copy desk from all eight Michigan newspapers into one big super copy desk that will encompass news, features and sports. It will be headquartered in Grand Rapids. Plus, there will be an advertising copy desk in Kalamazoo. All the copy editors at the eight papers will be offered buyouts, two weeks of pay for every year of service if you've been there for at least five years. So I'll be getting a buyout offer on Friday. Plus, they will be cutting more editorial staff ... photographers and reporters.

As for how I feel about this? Well, I'm pretty confident in my abilities that I'll have a job. For one thing, they promise us a job when they hire us as long as we are there, unless we are fired for cause. So I'll have a job somewhere in the company, but I may have to move ... however, I may have to go somewhere else in the state (Bay City, Saginaw, Flint ... yuck, but it's a job). I think my current boss likes me enough; the new boss, who is now in charge of the Internet desk, likes me too (I sent her some bread and a card while she was on leave because of cancer). My current boss ... don't know if he'll be my boss in January; the Web desk boss is my current boss' ex, but she's a sweetie, I really like her.

And if I don't get the job on the Grand Rapids desk, I might get the job in Kalamazoo, which isn't too far for short-term ... it's 100 miles and maybe I could find a place to live and sell my condo; don't really want to do ad copy editing, but it would be better than nothing.

My friend Mary Kay, who used to work at our paper in the ad department, seems to think a lot of the people from the other papers across the state won't take jobs in Grand Rapids so she thinks I'm pretty secure. So we shall see.

I sure can't take a buyout, not at my age and my financial situation. The news isn't great ... no government bailout for the newspaper business. But at least now I know.

 W O W   Eileen,  Sign of the times?  What a decision to make.....  My prayers are with you as you go through this transition.  

Millie

Oh My, the situation sounds scarey to me but you sound confident.. You will be in my prayers too..Huggss

Aloha Eileen......Big news indeed!! I'm sorry your life is a puzzle at the moment, but who knows...in the end this might be a step upward and in a better place for you. I believe things happen for a reason....and sometimes we don't know the reason for a long time.

I have a feeling you are a gem of an asset to the newspaper, and that you will have good news for us soon. I sure hope so.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

You have some big changes on the horizon it seems.  I know it will all work out for the best...!  Keep us posted.

Eileen,

What a great opportunity to move forward with new things in your life!!!

Hey, I'm pretty jazzed about this.  You are so talented, know what you are doing, have the opportunity to start anew again....Wow.

And, ........drumroll please........you have the OFF board for moral support!!!

What more could a gal want?

Good luck!!

Janet

Best wishes that all resolves itself in a positive way for you.  I'm holding the thought that all is unfolding exactly as it should.
Hugs, Linda

Eileen....my thoughts and prayers are with you!!

Hugs.....connie d

Good luck Eileen! I will be thinking about you!
Marcia  

Eileen you hit the nail on the head, at least now you know.
This news is not unexpected nor is it at all bad.  A move, you can do.  The biggest problem will be selling your condo in this market.  But on the bright side, if it does sell maybe you will make enough to get another one?!!
Thought of you this morning, wondered how the day was going...