Reuters to move Americas desk, cut US editorial jobs

The company presented the package to The Newspaper Guild of New York at a meeting on Wednesday. The union said it had not agreed to the proposal and planned to submit a counter proposal this week.

The Guild said the company’s offer was in tiers based on years of service. It includes two weeks of severance per year, paid in bi-weekly increments for up to one year, along with medical coverage for the term, plus enhancements based on date of hire.

Reuters president and editor-in-chief Stephen Adler last week announced a five per cent global cut in editorial staffing.

The Guild said company representatives at Wednesday’s meeting did not clearly explain whether employees who accept the voluntary packages would count towards that goal or whether their vacancies would be filled.

The company also notified the union of its plan to eliminate seven editorial staff positions – two New York journalists whose work is being moved to Bangalore, and a photographer and four reporters in Miami, which is to become a one-person bureau.

All staff reductions, whether voluntary or forced, would be completed by 31 December under management’s timetable.

The company said it would close the Americas desk in Washington. Desking operations would be consolidated in New York with effect from 1 January. Desk editors in Washington will have the option to move to New York with company-paid relocation packages or, in some cases, be placed in reporting positions in the Washington bureau. ■