Register-Guard of Eugene, Ore., Lays Off 14

The Register-Guard of Eugene, Ore., announced yesterday that it had laid off nine full-time and five part-time employees. Publisher Tony Baker also said that five other open positions will not be filled for now.

The job eliminations occurred in all operating departments. The majority of the affected positions were in circulation and human resources. Affected staff members were notified Wednesday and each received a severance package.

In a letter to employees, Baker said the downsizing was a “painful but necessary decision prompted by weaker than anticipated advertising revenue.”

The Register-Guard’s work force after the layoffs will stand at 286 employees, Chief Operating Officer David Pero said.

“We continue to be the leading provider of local information customers value; there is a profitable market for the business that can dominate that niche,” Baker said in his letter to employees.

“The recession has dealt most local businesses financial setbacks of varying degrees. The R-G, which depends heavily on the fortunes of those same local businesses for our success, has been hit particularly hard through downturns in the retail, automotive, real estate and employment arenas. Each of those sectors will rebound as the economy shows real improvement. And when they do, we must be positioned to take advantage of the opportunities they present.”