12% of staff cut in Houston Chronicle layoffs

A new round of layoffs at the Hearst owned Houston Chronicle will see 12%, or approximately 200-220 workers lose their jobs.

Publisher Jack Sweeney said in a statement that the cuts were due to the general troubles of the newspaper industry, although noted that companies in all industries are being forced to cut jobs and slash expenses. “The Houston Chronicle must do the same in spite of our diligent efforts,” he said in a message to Chronicle employees.

Which employees would be laid off was not specified. Cut workers will receive two weeks of pay for each year of service, up to one years pay, and will be offered career transition services.

The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, and is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States.