Herald cuts 24 employees

By Globe Staff And Wire Services  |  March 28, 2009

The Boston Herald has cut 24 workers, or 6 percent of its staff, because of slumping sales and advertising revenue as well as the deepening recession.

The newspaper revealed the job cuts yesterday, reporting that 13 employees accepted voluntary buyouts and 11 others were laid off.

The tabloid newspaper has an average weekday circulation of 167,500 and average Sunday circulation of 100,760.

Most of the eliminated Herald positions were related to business operations. The newsroom was largely untouched, except for one photographer who took a voluntary buyout.

"We've undertaken myriad efficiencies, but increasing challenges to the newspaper industry coupled with a bleak economy have required further belt-tightening measures," Herald publisher Patrick Purcell said in a statement.

Last summer, the tabloid laid off more than 100 employees and outsourced its printing.