Members of the union staged a one-day walkout on Friday in an attempt to pressure the paper’s billionaire owner, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, from cuts that some warned could be even more drastic. Still, it was painful for journalists across the country — some of whom announced their status on social media shortly after learning their fate. The billionaire investor initially plowed money to shore up the news organization’s business and editorial operations, went on a hiring spree and pledged to diversify the newsroom. Sarah D. Wire, a reporter who covers national security for the Times from D.C., said in a social media post that the Washington bureau had been decimated in the cuts, leaving just five reporters. While 94 members of the LA Times Guild, or about a quarter of the union’s total membership, were laid off, Media Guild West President Matt Pearce said on X that the number was reduced after the guild went on strike last week.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 23, 2024 23:33 UTC