New York Times to shrink pages, staff

NEW YORK: The New York Times said on Tuesday that in 2008 it will narrow down its pages by 1.5 inches, close a printing operation in New Jersey and slash its staff by 250 workers to save $42 million a year.

The measures that will go into effect in April 2008 follow similar consolidation efforts by other US newspapers who are steadily losing readers and advertisers to the Internet.

The Times said it would compensate the estimated five percent loss in space with the new, narrower format by adding more pages.

In addition to the size change, the daily said it would sublet its printing operation in Edison, New Jersey and consolidate its regional printing facilities at its new plant in the New York City borough of Queens.

The consolidation plan would reduce by 250 the current 1,050-strong production work force, saving $30 million a year.

The smaller size would mean additional yearly savings of $12 million.