Renewed cost-cutting measures announced at Keystone-SDA
According to the journalists' association Imprint, Keystone-SDA has announced renewed cost-cutting measures despite federal subsidies for the public service. The reason, they say, is a decline in sales to media customers. The staff fears a downward spiral.
Although the federal government had awarded subsidies for the public service of Keystone-SDA in the amount of 2 million francs, a further savings package of 800,000 francs was announced on Thursday. The management speaks of renewed job cuts and higher cost pressure on employees.
The staff of Keystone-SDA expresses incomprehension in view of this announcement and fears further rounds of savings. The journalists' association Imprint shares these fears and expresses its concern. Already last year, a quarter of the employees were laid off.
Further job cuts would not be compatible with Keystone-SDA's quality standards. The savings potential has been exhausted in terms of personnel, as last year's savings target of 36 full-time positions was actually exceeded. On the other hand, there has been no change in the number of managers since last year, despite the other major cuts. If savings have to be made, then that is where the potential lies.
That is why the association appeals in its communication to Keystone-SDA's customers, the publishing houses, to uphold this Swiss quality service of journalism in the sense of public service and not to abandon it to a further downward spiral.
He also stresses that cost-cutting measures are not inevitable, but that the company's revenue side must be scrutinized more closely with the involvement of the staff. Keystone-SDA is in the black thanks to aid from the federal government. In view of this situation, layoffs would not be expedient.
Last week, the Board of Directors approved the 2020 framework budget. It described personnel measures as unavoidable, despite positive feedback from customers on the new rate model and bright spots in corporate content.
The implementation of this measure is to be spread across the entire company and not only affect the editorial department. The Board of Directors intends to take natural fluctuation into account as far as possible. The basic hiring freeze still applies. (pd/swi/SDA)
