Republic staffers learn of layoffs; some told by phone

By Nick R. Martin | July 8th, 2009 | 10:07 pm | 4 Comments »

Developing: The layoffs promised last week by management at the Arizona Republic finally came down today with a number of people being told through phone calls that they had lost their jobs, according to a source familiar with the moves. Information is still scarce about how many total cuts were made at the state’s largest newspaper, but rumors are flying on Twitter and elsewhere.

Last week, executive editor Randy Lovely told staffers that 7 percent would be losing jobs in this round of cuts. Gannett Co., the media chain that owns the Republic, ordered layoffs at its newspapers nationwide.

As always, if you have more information about the layoffs at the Republic, including memos, please email them to Heat City. Anonymity is guaranteed.