Wednesday 11 March 2009

EdSun, CalSun -30

Updated re new names, comments and clarification
And the Quebecor cuts keep coming . . .

Neil Waugh, a high-profile Edmonton Sun political columnist, and 19 other colleagues were pink slipped today, TSF sources report.

"Laid off in addition to Waugh: Jenny Feniak (former Entertainment editor, recently moved over to rim work), and Jonathan Huntington, sports writer," says one tipster.

(Clarification: Jonathan tells TSF he submitted his resignation at the end of January. In his final column, published Feb. 10, he wrote: "After covering the Edmonton Eskimos for Sun Media during four seasons, this is my last article. Enjoy the 2009 CFL season."

A TSF reader writes:

"Jonathan Huntington was by far the best CFL-Eskimos beat writer the Edmonton Sun ever had. A pleasure to work with and no holier than thou attitude like most of the other sports reporters in that department.

"He beat the competition daily during the season and in the off season breaking stories before the other guys. He was one of the hardest working guys in that sports department."

All of the other Edmonton layoffs were non-newsroom employees.

At the Calgary Sun, three newsroom employees and seven from other departments were booted today.

One source says Shawn Logan, the Calgary Sun's city hall reporter, is among the casualties.

"Shawn is a helluva guy," says a colleague. "If you said to your newsroom, who wants to go write a story about bullfighting and do it by being a matador, his would be the first hand that goes up."

A second newsroom layoff was in web publishing.

Another departure at the end of the month by attrition is Kristen Enevold, editor of Calgary’s 24 hours, the source says.

Elsewhere in the building, there were layoffs in research, outbound sales, automotive ad sales, pre-press, maintenance, circulation and the art department.

Full names of all the Calgary and Edmonton layoff casualties and comments about their contributions to Sun Media would be appreciated.

Just how thin can the Edmonton and Calgary Suns get without slipping through the cracks to print media oblivion?

Should employees at the Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg Suns duck and cover once again?

Stay tuned.

8 comments:

  1. At non-union Sun papers, is management able to lay off whomever they wish? Or does seniority matter? Who are the victims in Calgary?

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  2. Jonathan Huntington was by far the best CFL-Eskimos beat writer the Edmonton Sun ever had. A pleasure to work with and no holier than thou attitude like most of the other sports reporters in that department.

    He beat the competition daily during the season and in the off season breaking stories before the other guys. He was one of the hardest working guys in that sports department.

    Just goes to show you putting in extra effort and doing a good job isn't enough in PKP's cut and slash anything that's still breathing world.

    Good luck to you Mr. Huntington you will be far better off working for someone else.

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  3. Pretty sure Jonathan Huntington was leaving previously... and isn't apart of the lay-offs. I think that's why he got the Goodbye note.

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  4. Yes, that's right.

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  5. No seniority issues in a non-union shop.
    Easy come; easy go.

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  6. I posted my resignation with the Edmonton Sun at the end of January, giving two weeks notice.
    I did it because I wanted to see my two young daughters grow up - which wasn't happening by working at the Sun.
    But thank you for the kind words regarding my working style. I enjoy reading the site.
    Jonathan Huntington

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  7. Alberta weekly are now being scuttled.

    Gone are Morinville and Jasper. Another 10 to follow by next week.

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  8. Layoffs also at Edson, Hinton, Spruce Grove/Stony Plain, Camrose and Lacombe in admin/circulation.

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