Facing a financial crisis, non-com WBUR has announced that Boston’s NPR station is laying off seven employees and 24 others are taking buyouts.
The layoffs and buyouts come weeks after the station warned of possible job cuts.
WBUR’s on-air sponsorship income plummeted by about $7 million in recent years, and the station is looking to begin the next fiscal year with a budget that’s at least $4 million lower than this year.
“I will begin with the hardest news,” CEO Margaret Low wrote to staff members on Wednesday. “We are laying off seven people, including three part-time colleagues. This means valued co-workers are losing their jobs and will leave WBUR before the end of June.”
“It’s painful to lose longtime colleagues and friends and we’ll make time in the weeks ahead to recognize those who will depart,” Low added.
The station has also been offering buyouts, and 24 employees are taking them. “The number of people who raised their hand allowed us to limit the number of layoffs,” the CEO said.
Among those taking the package are four members of the senior leadership team: Pete Matthews, Del Reese, Mike Steffon and Karl Voelker.
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