Sources tell us some 20 people have volunteered to leave The Seattle Times newsroom in advance of a layoff, lessening the number of journalists who will be fired in coming weeks. The paper has said it needs to reduce the already-shrunk newsroom of some 260 workers by 35-45 positions. Companywide, about 150 jobs will be eliminated out of 1,600. It's the second big RIF this year.
Here's who has confirmed they are leaving:
- Kim Eckart, assistant metro editor.
- Cathy Henkel, sports editor.
- Michele Matassa Flores, features editor.
- Terry Tazioli, travel editor.
- Cindy Zetts, real estate editor.
Others on our list are either unconfirmed or haven't heard yet whether their offer to volunteer to be laid off will be accepted. The list includes people in all departments, from metro reporting to arts and entertainment to photography.
Yesterday was the deadline for people to express interest in leaving during this round of cuts, in exchange for severance that depends on length of service.
Update, 11/12/2008 at 8:45 a.m.: Add to the list of the departing: Bill Dietrich, Pacific Northwest magazine writer; Peyton Whitely, metro reporter; and Craig Smith, sports reporter.
