Gannett Executive Bonuses Criticized Amid Layoffs

Employees at Gannett newspapers are taking to Facebook and Twitter to post their comments about today's nationwide round of layoffs.The newspaper giant is cutting 700 employees nationwide, including at least 36 in Louisville. Among those laid off are several editors and staff writers in the Neighborhoods and Velocity sections. No official announcement has been made about what will happen to those sections, and Courier-Journal publisher Arnold Garson is unavailable for comment.The comments posted online by laid off employees range from sympathetic to searing. Several reporters have complained about the millions of dollars in bonuses given to Gannett executives between rounds of layoffs, pay freezes and furloughs.The Gannett Bog further points out that Bob Dickey, Gannett's U.S. newspapers division president, was paid $3.4 million last year, up from $1.9 million the year prior. In the memo announcing the 700 nationwide layoffs, Dickey wrote, "While we have sought many ways to reduce costs, I regret to tell you that we will not be able to avoid layoffs."