Edmonton columnist Terry Jones' position eliminated by Post Media

[ChrisLong]

Eight years ago, I took a buyout and retired (I was 62, thought I might work until 65, but it wasn't to be). There were a couple dozen layoffs at that time. The first thing they said was, "We're not doing cakes for everybody."

 

[studthug12]

We had a ME who always said we could ask tough questions and his door was open, he'd support us yada, yada. One reporter who was close to retirement asked why we should be happy and supported when everyone around us is being let go. The ME said flatly, well if you don't like it you don't have to work here. LOL, what support!

 

[micropolitan guy]

Eight years ago, I took a buyout and retired (I was 62, thought I might work until 65, but it wasn't to be). There were a couple dozen layoffs at that time. The first thing they said was, "We're not doing cakes for everybody."

"Don't let them eat cake!"

 

[dirtybird]

I will take the other side.

I remember looking at a coffee table book of photographs by someone who worked on Denver paper for something like 65 years. He said the function he most hated to shoot were retirement ceremonies. The person being honored was often wearing the forced smile of someone being pushed out. The words of praise came from the pusher and rang of insincerity. Basically everything about the ceremony was a a sham.

I think it is a perfectly rational response to say the hell with the retirement cake and a plaque from someone you despises and hang on to the bitter end rather than participating in a ruse.

I say this as someone who had never heard of Terry Jones or even been to Alberta.

When I heard a coworker was departing, first question was always "congrats or condolences?"

I have a vivid memory of being called into a staff meeting when the top editor who had been at the paper suddenly "retired." He was an odd guy to work with and fought like hell to protect the paper from big changes the chain wanted (notably some staff he really liked, often with what I'll call boutique skills). We were facing a reorg and he tried and end-around to retain the people he wanted in maybe not the most logical ways. Thus he was tossed after a long and mostly decorated career.

I felt weird about him leaving, but he set himself up for things and was simply not of the era he needed to be.

 

[BTExpress]

Nice. A phone call. I guess a letter would have cost postage. Pretty sad when management at Post Media doesn't even have the guts to fire you face-to-face.

Good luck, Terry. Enjoy the rest of your life. You fought the good fight.

Our McClatchy layoffs last year were all by phone -- not much choice, given that everyone was working remotely and that many papers had sold their buildings. I don't know Terry Jones from a hole in the wall, but I suspect his appearances in whatever office they have were few and far between anyway.

Eight months, one day until retirement.