The San Diego Union-Tribune Cuts 178 Jobs in Printing, Delivery

SAN DIEGO—May 27, 2015—Just five days after Tribune Publishing completed its purchase of The San Diego Union-Tribune, the newspaper announced that it would be laying off 178 employees. According to the Los Angeles Times, Tribune Publishing paid $85 million in cash and stock to buy the newspaper, along with eight community weeklies and related Websites from real estate developer Doug Manchester.

During the time of the acquisition, Russ Newton, president and COO of the Union-Tribune, said that the newspaper would move its print operations from San Diego to Los Angeles. "One of the key drivers for this move is having The San Diego Union-Tribune printed on much better press equipment than it currently is," said Newton. "It will be a little bit better experience for the consumer."

According to the Times, about 100 of the layoffs at the newspaper were in the operations department—truck drivers, machinists and pressroom workers. Other job cuts were made in the circulation and advertising departments. Nine newsroom employees were also affected by the layoffs, noted Jeff Light, editor of the Union-Tribune. Light told the Times that readers should not notice any changes at all as a result of the moves, but there will be some talented directors, producers and anchors on the job market.

According to the Times, as part of the deal, Chicago-based Tribune Publishing created California News Group, which will oversee operations of Los Angeles Times Media Group and the Union-Tribune.