Mar 31, 2009 7:50 pm US/Pacific
Big Names Leaving SF Chronicle Under Buyouts
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS) ―
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A sign with fading letters is seen at the San Francisco Chronicle building.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Tuesday was the deadline for employees of the San Francisco Chronicle to volunteer to quit the paper, and accept a buyout in return.
Longtime readers may be stunned to hear which well-known journalists will be leaving the paper.
The Hearst Corporation said it had to cut 150 positions at the Chronicle.
If enough workers did not apply for the voluntary termination program by 5 p.m. Tuesday, the paper said it would start layoffs next month.
Many reporters, editors and photographers, especially more seasoned ones, decided to take up to one year's pay, plus health insurance, to give up their jobs.
Transportation reporter and union president Michael Cabanatuan said over 100 workers signed up for the voluntary buyout.
Among those leaving voluntarily are Chronicle fixtures like music critic Joel Selvin, feature reporter Steve Rubinstein, and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Kim Komenich.
"I'm just shocked by some of the names that have been announced," Cabanatuan said.
"You know, there are some people who I've idolized before I came to the Chronicle. There are some people who I've idolized since I got to the Chronicle. You know, it's going to be tough on all of us," he concluded.
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