NYT | Keller says no more staff cuts 'foreseen'

Top New York Times editor Bill Keller wisely prefaces his forecast of no more job reductions by saying: "Of course, we have no guarantees of what the future holds,'' according to a new memo obtained by the New York Observer. "But," the memo continues, "anxiety-fed gossip notwithstanding, there is no further newsroom staff cut planned or foreseen, no 'next round' on the agenda. It is my fervent hope that we will never endure another month like this one."

Keller also says that this year's 5% wage reductions are over, that wages will be restored to their previous levels, starting next month. Plus, he says: "And our work force will no longer be depleted by furloughs, which should compensate a little for the reduction in staff."

Still, on the Romensko blog, reader Alex Dering comments: "That's still a salary cut. Unless you think you didn't deserve a raise, and none of your expenses have increased."

Is this really the end of staff cuts? With a comparison to Keller's pledge after last year's 100 cuts, The NYTPicker blog has doubts.

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[Image: today's front page, Newseum]