Saltwire notifies 109 staff they will be laid off permanently

Citing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on advertising, the Saltwire Network gave notice Tuesday that 109 employees on temporary layoff would not be returning to the company.

"The staff notified today have contributed to SaltWire's mission to provoke thought and action for the betterment of our communities in innumerable ways and they will be greatly missed," said Ian Scott, chief operating officer and executive vicepresident for the SaltWire Network.

"We thank them for their dedicated service and are committed to supporting them as they embark on their job searches."

Of the 109 to be laid off permanently, 61 are in Nova Scotia, 25 are in Newfoundland and Labrador and 23 in Prince Edward Island.

Just under half were laid off immediately. The rest were given notice they will be laid off in the future.

Like hundreds of media outlets in North America, SaltWire is feeling the impact of the pandemic. As businesses closed and customers stayed home, advertising plummeted. The loss has cost the company millions in revenue to date without expected improvement in the coming months, Scott said in a news release.

Saltwire is continuing to provide health benefits for the employees not returning, as well as salary continuation for those with longer service.

Scott said Tuesday's announcement covered employees from all areas of the business.

On March 24, Saltwire announced that nearly 40 per cent of its staff was being temporarily laid off and operations were being suspended at some publications. Since then, employees have been brought back, but several people remain on a temporary layoff list.

The company says it plans to return some publications and services in response to market demand and is working to see as many staff members return to work as possible.