Two years into a nationally heralded acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times, the parent company of WBEZ and the Sun-Times announced layoffs at both organizations Wednesday in a move one company union decried as “devastating.”
The move to terminate nearly 15% of the 62 unionized content creators at Chicago’s National Public Radio affiliate comes amid a worsening financial crisis for the news organization marked by declining fundraising, listenership and philanthropic support.
The job cuts coincide with the debut of a $6.4 million, state-of-the-art studio at WBEZ’s Navy Pier office and follows a double-digit-percentage pay increase for Chicago Public Media’s top executive. Additionally, other high-level executives departed the not-for-profit news organization in December.
But perhaps most important, the financial upheaval that led to the layoffs raises questions about the long-term viability of the $61 million WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times merger entering its third year, although Chicago Public Media CEO Matt Moog continued to hold out hope for the marriage.
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