How deep are the cuts? The paper now has half the staff it had a few years ago.

From the Newspaper Guild:

On Tuesday, Journal Sentinel Inc. announced it had cut its staff by 92. This reduction included the permanent layoffs of 34 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newsroom employees represented by the Milwaukee Newspaper Guild, as well as the voluntary buyouts taken by 32 members of our bargaining unit and five managers.

It was the largest layoff and second-largest buyout in our newsroom's history. By comparison, when The Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel merged in 1995, 70 to 80 newsroom staffers took buyouts and 21 members of our unit were laid off.

This is a very difficult day for all of us in the newsroom, not only for those who are losing their jobs, but also for those who remain. As we deal with the loss of our colleagues, we face the task of putting out the best newspaper and online product we can with about one-third less staff than we started the year with, and about half the staff we had a few years ago.

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Email from former JS staffer John Mollwitz, who cautions that there may be some errors/omissions:

As you probably read in this morning's story, the company announced 92 departures, including 37 newsroom buyouts.  An estimated additional 30 people from the newsroom also were let go. More are likely.

While there is no official list, there's consensus on these names below. Other names may surface as the week goes on.

BUSINESS: Tannette Elie-Johnson.

COPY DESK: Zeeba Anarwala, Bill Dowlding, Mike Gauger (PT), Sue Gronemus, Jo Huebner, Jim Kates (PT), David Lewellen (PT), Kay Nolan (PT), Jon Olson (PT), Kathy Schenck (EDITOR), Nicole Werking.

DESIGN/GRAPHICS: Kristin Pelisek, Lonnie Turner, Bob Veierstahler, Ray Verespej.

FEATURES: Tim Cuprisin, Damien Jacques, Helen Pauly, Geeta Sharma Jensen, Tom Strini, Dave Tianen.

JSONLINE: Beth Gilomen, Emet Prosser.

LIBRARY: (now 100% automated) Sarah Johnson, Cindy Schultz, Sharren Schultz.

LOCAL DESK: Alan Borsuk, Darryl Enriquez, Mark Katches (EDITOR)*, Erica Perez, Marie Rohde, Suzanne Rust; Jacqui Seibel, Lisa Sink (PT), Linda Spice, Steve Walters, Scott Williams.

NATIONAL: Carl Schwartz (EDITOR).

PHOTO: Kevin Eisenhut, Joe Koshollek (PT), Bill Lizdas, Jack Orton, Jeff Phelps, Mary Jo Walicki (PT).

PHOTO TECHS: Jack Emmrich; Dave Leshok.

SPORTS: Tom Blair, Rick Braun, Vince Butler, Don Griego, Art Kabelowsky, Ana Menendez, Karl Svatek, Ben Steele, Larry Graham.

SPORTS AGATE: 6 part-timers.

SUPPORT STAFF: Makenzie Collins(PT), Janine Ghelfi, Jeanne Glynn, Joanne Kempinger Demski, Algeria Peoples, Stephanie Spivak (PT), Nathan Wallin (PT).


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UPDATE:

Hi Charlie,

Can you please clarify on your blog that, although I left the JS on Friday, I did not get a buyout nor was I laid off. I gave the paper six weeks of notice when I accepted a new job in California to wrap up some projects and ease a transition. Since I gave notice a week BEFORE the buyout period opened I was ineligible. I really hope you will clarify that. Believe me I wish I had been able to take it.

Mark Katches