The following announcement was distributed to all employees of Digital First Media’s Los Angeles Newspaper Group (LANG) on Tuesday. LANG is made up of nine Southern California daily newspapers including the Los Angeles Daily News, the Long Beach Press-Telegram and the Torrance Daily Breeze, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2015.

Note  that the across-the-board pay increase does not apply to any Guild-represented employees, who are campaigning for better working conditions, including long-overdue raises, in their next contract.

As LANG president Ron Hasse acknowledges, “Most of our staff have remained committed to our organization with no adjustments to salary for many years.”

 

From: Ron Hasse 
Date: Tue, Feb 9, 2016 at 2:01 PM
Subject: [All LANG employees] Important Announcement
To: LANG-LA_employees 

For many years as our organization has restructured itself to prepare a new path forward we’ve done so only with the help and dedication of our incredible employees.  Because of your innovative thinking and your commitment to our mission and strategies we continuously clear obstacles and overcome challenges.

Most of our staff have remained committed to our organization with no adjustments to salary for many years – so I’m pleased to announce that the Los Angeles News Group will be providing raises to its employees this month.

Effective February 15, 2016 all eligible employees will receive a 3% increase to their current salary.  Those not eligible are employees covered under a bargaining agreement, those employees recently hired within the last 12 months (on or after February 16, 2015) and those who have had a promotional raise during the last 12 months (on or after February 16, 2015).

You will see the increase reflected on the paycheck you receive on February 26, 2016 – however, please note that due to timing of the raise the first paycheck will include one week at your current salary and one week at the new salary. The following paycheck received on March 11, 2016 will reflect the fully implemented 3% increase.

While this increase does not adequately reflect the immense gratitude for your service, it is an indication that your work is contributing to the success of our organization.

Your management team will meet with you throughout the next couple of weeks to further discuss with you the details of this change and to answer any questions you may have.

Future raises will be determined by the strength and performance of the DFM organization and will be evaluated by the company on an ongoing basis.

Please allow me to say a heartfelt “thank you” to each of you for the continued support of your organization.  The work of change will be never ending, but I’m excited about our future – and I hope you are too.

Ron Hasse
President & Publisher
Los Angeles News Group