Newspapers being forced to cut, or fold

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Newspapers are finding it harder to make payroll in the down economy.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette has hired an outside distribution company to cut costs.

On Thursday, local newspaper carries formed picket lines to resist the change.

Jim Foudy is the publisher of the Daily Hampshire Gazette. He told 22News it was a difficult, but necessary decision.

"We need to preserve our full time jobs. We offered them an opportunity to drive for another company. It wasn't as if we let people go."

Foundy said his hand was forced. The state has been pressuring newspapers to classify their independent newspaper carriers as part time or full time employees and according to Foundy, the company could not afford to do that.

The carriers held their rally in Northampton to specifically protest the fact that this new distribution company doesn't hire people who are under 18.

They are also upset that the company changed their routes and cut their pay.

"Many of us have jobs with the distribution company because it was the lesser of two evils. It was no work...or more for less pay," explained Ginger Plantier of Independent Contractors United.

Foudy says that many of the carriers get tips, especially during the holidays.

The Springfield Republican was also forced to make changes to its paper in order to cut costs. They recently announced a conversion to an occasional tabloid format.

Daily papers are struggling the most. They are facing declining circulation and increased production costs. Weekly and community papers are staying fairly steady despite the tough economic climate.