Vindy Files WARN Notice, Will Release Staff in Phases

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — The Vindicator announced that employees would be released in three phases, according to the notice it issued July 1 per the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN.

In the notice, General Manager Mark Brown confirmed the Vindy would cease operations on Aug. 31, 2019, resulting in the termination of all 144 employees at the company. Employees are represented by three unions: the NewGuild-CWA, Washington, D.C.; the Graphic Communications Conference, which is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Cincinnati; and the Teamsters Local 473, Brook Park.

The first phase will take place during a 14-day period beginning Aug. 31, and will include a majority of the Vindy’s staff; 132 positions, including reporters, editors, photographers and other staff. A second 14-day phase will commence Oct. 31 and will see the release of five employees, including the accounts payable manager, director of human resources, managers of advertising operations and circulations marketing, and the supervisor of pressroom maintenance.

Once all necessary wrap-up activities are completed, the final seven employees will be released, including accounting clerk, assistant general manager, collections, directors of information technology and production, electrician/maintenance and payroll.

The employment losses will be permanent and the affected employees will not have bumping rights, Brown wrote. Employees were initially notified of the Vindicator’s closing on June 28, ending 150 years of publishing in the Mahoning Valley.

Related coverage:

In Depth: Vindicator to Cease Publication Aug. 31

Brown: Vindy Lost Money in ‘20 of Last 22 Years’

As Bad News Sinks in, Many Reflect on Vindicator’s Value

Media Outlets Prepare for Post-Vindicator Landscape

Tears, Laughter and Ideas for a Post-Vindicator Future

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