Sun-Times to lay off reporters, editors

CHICAGO -- Sun-Times Media Group Inc. told the Chicago Sun-Times staff Friday it plans to eliminate as many as 35 jobs in the newsroom as part of companywide cutbacks.

Word of the layoffs, which represent nearly 19 percent of union jobs in the newsroom, came in a brief memo, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. Company spokeswoman Tammy Chase declined comment.

The ailing newspaper publisher had warned of layoffs last month when it announced plans to cut operating costs by $50 million in 2008 amid a continuing steep decline in advertising and circulation revenue. CEO Cyrus Freidheim said then the moves would constitute by far the biggest cost-reduction effort in the company's history.

Sun-Times Media, which owns dozens of smaller Chicago-area newspapers, also recently laid off 31 editorial employees of the Tinley Park-based Daily Southtown after combining the paper with its Star publications to create the SouthtownStar.

Ted Rilea, vice president of labor relations, told the staff in the memo the company "contemplates" eliminating up to 27 positions among the ranks of union-represented copy editors, designers and reporters. He said it does not plan layoffs among writers of major sports or photographers.

A total of 188 Sun-Times newsroom jobs are represented by the union, the Chicago Newspaper Guild.