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Tribune, WFLA Staffs Offered Voluntary Buyouts

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: April 14, 2008

TAMPA - The Florida Communications Group said today it is offering voluntary buyouts, including severance packages, to about half its 1,326 employees, including those with The Tampa Tribune and WFLA, News Channel 8.

The program is aimed at reducing staff and other costs in a difficult economic environment in the Tampa Bay area, said John Schueler, president of Florida Communications Group, which oversees the operation of The Tribune, WFLA, TBO.com and other Florida media outlets.

Schueler said the program includes severance packages depending on years of service with the company for eligible employees.

For example, some employees would be eligible for severance up to 39 weeks. Schueler said that if not enough employees accept the severance offer, layoffs are possible.

He said that FCG has not determined the amount of money the company wants to save or the number of employees it must shed but that the cost savings needed are significant.

In addition to the Tribune and News Channel 8, FCG, a subsidiary of Media General, includes TBO.com, Centro Grupo de Comunicacion, Sunbelt Newspapers, Suncoast News, Hernando Today and Highlands Today.

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