ATLANTA — Six hundred senior Turner Broadcasting employees nationwide have until midnight Tuesday to accept buyout offers from the company.
“These are not just regular folks who are nameless. These are people who support families, and support their local communities and are citizens in our city and our country and our region,” said John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Commission.
Eaves is one of many local elected leaders keeping a close eye on a massive restructuring plan for Atlanta-based Turner networks including CNN, HLN, TBS and TNT.
“I’m concerned when anybody is laid off, whether it’s a mom-and-pop operation, or a big corporation like Turner,” said Eaves.
Turner executives are remaining tight-lipped about the impact on Atlanta employees, but Channel 2’s Aaron Diamant received a 20-page document containing specific job titles and the departments affected by the buyouts.
According to the documents, employees including writers, photographers, security staff, support staff, and a senior manager for the CNN studio tours are being offered buyouts.
“I just hope there will be sort-of a smooth transition and whatever reason that led to some of the downsizing that’s occurring will be addressed and Turner will be strong and remain one of the iconic figures here in Atlanta,” said Eaves.
On Monday, a Turner spokesperson sent Channel 2 Action News a statement that said, “Those who have chosen to take advantage of (the buyouts) will exit the company over the coming weeks, depending on their position and business needs.”
The company said those who accept the buyout will be out by the end of the year.
WSBTV
