Berner Bär: Only one issue per week - seven jobs to be cut
Starting this summer, the Bern-based free newspaper *Berner Bär* will be published only once a week instead of twice, with a circulation of 100,000 copies instead of the previous 137,230. This will result in the elimination of seven full-time positions. A severance plan is in place for those affected.
With these measures, which were drawn up by publishing director Rudolf Lehmann and editor-in-chief Matthias Mast, the Berner Bär, which faces strong competition from official and municipal gazettes in its catchment area, is reacting to the ongoing difficult situation in the local advertising markets, according to a press release issued on Thursday. The new publication format will result in a reduction of seven full-time positions. All affected employees will be covered by Espace Media's social plan, which was concluded last year together with representatives of the staff committees of the Bund and Berner Zeitung BZ. All decisions are subject to the results of the consultation with the affected employees.
The changes also include a slightly renewed appearance. Overall, Espace wants to strengthen the profile of the Berner Bär as a people and event newspaper.
Comedia regrets job cuts
Comedia regrets Espace Media's plans to cut seven full-time jobs at Berner Bär. "The publishing house Espace Media (owned by Zurich-based Tamedia) is continuing the rapid job cuts in the industry by laying off more media professionals. A company of this size and economic strength must be in a position to offer employees internal jobs and stagger redundancies in the event of downsizing measures," the media union writes in a press release. The upcoming consultation process must be used with this in mind.
The changes also include a slightly renewed appearance. Overall, Espace wants to strengthen the profile of the Berner Bär as a people and event newspaper.
Comedia regrets job cuts
Comedia regrets Espace Media's plans to cut seven full-time jobs at Berner Bär. "The publishing house Espace Media (owned by Zurich-based Tamedia) is continuing the rapid job cuts in the industry by laying off more media professionals. A company of this size and economic strength must be in a position to offer employees internal jobs and stagger redundancies in the event of downsizing measures," the media union writes in a press release. The upcoming consultation process must be used with this in mind.
