INQUIRER: This weekend, fans can not only gawk at the first Phillies World Series trophy in 28 years — and only the team’s second ever — but they can get their pictures taken next to it. For free. “Phanta Claus” — who looks suspiciously like the Phanatic in a Santa suit — will also pose with fans. The photo ops are part of the annual Holiday Sale at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park. Fans can even park for free. Head for Lot S, off Pattison Avenue, and be sure to mention the holiday sale. Saturday’s hoopla will also feature a 5 p.m. tree-lighting ceremony featuring carolers, ballgirls and Phanta (whose nose looks more like green megaphone than a cherry, but who does share St. Nick’s girth and mirth). The store will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 9 to 3 on Sunday. Be warned, however. Late-comers might miss the Tiffany & Co.-crafted trophy, which will be on view 9 to 4:30 Saturday, 9 to 2:30 Sunday. These are the trophy’s only scheduled public appearances between the Thanksgiving parade, and January, when a trophy tour could begin. MORE
EXTRA: Inquirer/Daily News Lays Off 35 Employees
FORBES: Union officials say the owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News is laying off at least 35 workers. The layoffs would hit both newspapers and would be effective at the end of the year. The Newspaper Guild of Greater Philadelphia says they include 13 photo staffers, 12 full- and part-time copy editors, four graphic artists and six advertising workers. Layoffs among management are also planned. The union says the company, Philadelphia Media Holdings, believes the job cuts are necessary because revenue continues to decline. Like newspapers across the country, the two papers are dealing with a severe advertising slowdown. MORE
PREVIOUSLY: 35 More To Go?
RELATED: Guild Memo After The Jump
From: GuildBulletin [mailto:guildbulletin@local-
10.com]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2008 7:39 PM
To: REDACTED
Subject: MORE LAYOFFSMORE LAYOFFS PLANNED
The company informed Guild leadership this afternoon that it intends to eliminate 35 bargaining-unit jobs at the Inquirer and Daily News effective Dec. 31.
The layoffs as planned would come primarily from the newsrooms, specifically from the photo and graphic arts departments and the copy desk. The company also plans to cut six positions in advertising.
Layoffs among management are also planned. The company would not say how many. Tomorrow, it will send letters to all 320-plus independent employees across the company asking for volunteers. If it does not get enough volunteers, the company said it will resort to forced layoffs of independents. Management cuts are assured in all departments.
The projected Guild layoffs are as follows:
At the Inquirer:
- 7 photographers
- 2 photo lab technicians
- 3 photo editors
- 7 copy editors
- 3 graphic artists
At the Daily News:
- 1 photographer
- 4 part-time copy editors
- 1 full-time copy editor
- 1 graphic artist
In Advertising:
- 4 outside sales positions
- 2 retail supervisor positions
The company said the job cuts are necessary as revenue continues to decline.
The Guild leadership urges anyone interested in volunteering for a layoff to contact Administrative Officer Bill Ross at 215-928-0118 (the Guild office) or 267-240-8540 (his cell) as soon as possible.
The company has indicated it will accept volunteers in any job category but is most interested in achieving the numbers in the categories outlined above. Volunteers in those targeted categories will be accepted and will save a fellow member on a one-for-one basis based on seniority.
Volunteers who are accepted will be entitled to full severance pay, unemployment, unused 2008 vacation and personal days and COBRA health insurance coverage up to 18 months. They also would be eligible for recall for one year. The same applies for any employee laid off involuntarily.
Guild leaders will resume discussions with the company tomorrow.
Bill Ross
Administrative Officer