St. Louis Post-Dispatch to outsource local printing, drop 72 local jobs

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Post-Dispatch will outsource local printing operations for its print newspaper to Columbia, Missouri, a decision the organization says will result in the loss of 72 local jobs.

On Monday evening, the Post-Dispatch reported on its intent to outsource printing operations by early January of next year. The organization says the presses at its local building in Maryland Heights “will be shuttered.”

Additionally, 72 local employees, including 48 full-timers and 24 part-timers, are expected to lose their jobs, according to the Post-Dispatch report.

“Printing will shift to the Columbia facility, owned by another newspaper company, Gannett, with the papers trucked to St. Louis for local delivery,” said an article Monday from Post-Dispatch executive editor Alan Achkar.

Despite the change, the Post-Dispatch said it will still publish print newspapers seven days a week and customers will not see a change in local delivery times. The organization expects some earlier deadlines for coverage, which may affect publication of local sports games and certain breaking news stories from the prior evening.

“The print edition will still feature our array of columns, analysis, features and enterprise journalism. We remain committed to producing a strong print edition, with the same range of comics and puzzles you now enjoy,” said the aforementioned Post-Dispatch report.

The Post-Dispatch says its plans for outsourcing will help with cost savings and follow suit of local news print operations for other big cities near St. Louis.

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