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January 3, 2012
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January 3, 2012Employees at The Houma Courier and The Thibodaux Daily Comet learned Thursday morning they would be keeping their jobs as the New York Times Regional Media Group, comprising 15 newspapers, is sold by its parent company the New York Times to Daytona-Beach Fla.-based Halifax Media Holdings for $143 million.
A date for the final sale has not been announced but was said by NYTRMG management to be “expected to close in a few weeks.”
A form letter to employees and attributed to NYTRMG spokeswoman Susan Murphy instructed staffers to review an attached question and answer sheet, then address any further questions to the NYTRMG Shared Services Center. A telephone number was also provided for professional counseling services through the company’s Work/Life Assistance Program.
In the question-and-answer form, employees were told the sale was not planned and that Halifax had approached the New York Times regarding acquisition of the NYTRMG.
Employees said retaining workers and the process of applying for their own or other jobs would be a procedure directed by Halifax. They were also told they could apply for jobs with other New York Times affiliates. However, it was specified that, “if Halifax Media Holdings offers any benefits-eligible [NYTRMG] employee a comparable job by the closing of the sale and [that employee] reject[s] it, [that employee] will not be eligible for severance.”
RMG would not advise employees as to if they should begin looking for a different job, and would not comment as to if additional New York Times properties will be sold anytime soon.
