You knew it was coming, especially after Raleigh’s McClatchy outpost took the plunge several weeks ago. The Uptown paper of record announced a buyout plan this AM.

Veteran media blogger Jim Romensko posted the email that went out to staff a couple hours ago:

From: [Charlotte Observer publisher] Caulkins, Ann
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 10:30 AM
To: @Charlotte All
Subject: General Announcement from Ann Caulkins

To All Employees,

Today, we are announcing two separate programs that will affect various
departments and groups of employees in the coming weeks. We expect that
the programs, combined, will affect a relatively small group of employees
— less than five percent of the total number of FTEs at The Observer –
but we want to be sure that all of you are accurately apprised of the
actions.

* First, we have decided to discontinue our Circulation Telemarketing
efforts. As a result, all telemarketing positions, with the exception of
those that focus on retention and collection, will be eliminated. In all,
this affects 13 part-time employees, all of whom will be eligible for
severance packages.

* Second, we are introducing a limited, one-time voluntary separation
program where we have the opportunity to streamline, transfer or
consolidate job functions. Under this plan, we will offer a limited
number of voluntary separation packages in a number of workgroups. There
are limits on both the number of employees who will be offered this
package and on the number of voluntary elections we can accept.

Both of these programs are in response to the need to operate our
newspaper company more competitively and efficiently, and to respond to
changing business models. We regret that we must say goodbye to some
trusted and valued colleagues. We are all indebted to them for their
service to The Observer. But for the long-term future of the company, it
is important that we respond to current market conditions.

We currently do not have other programs planned to reduce existing staff.
We will, however, continuously review our operations for new efficiencies
and changes to our business model that could help in our overall success
as a company.

Details about the programs, including the departments involved and the
anticipated timetables, will be shared by division vice presidents and
directors in meetings across the company throughout the day today and
tomorrow. Check with your department or division head for a schedule of
the meetings that apply to your area.

Ann

The target seems to be around 50 positions — plus the telemarking layoffs, one assumes. Here’s what I want to know — and I’ll email the question to the brass and be roundly ignored in a sec — will the buyouts feature non-compete clauses? See that would be very interesting as Charlotte is still a growing market, even for the troubled news biz. We know, for example, that The Sporting News is moving ops here.

It is also true that the Observer despite everything still does have some good reporters — reporters who might do very interesting things once freed from the ideological constraints of the Uptown paper of record. They should not be forced to leave behind their expertise in the market, their beats behind, if they choose to take a buyout.

Now granted, buyout takers cannot have it both ways — huge cash out and jump to another job. But some cash out to reward the risk-taking — not to mention helping to reduce the paper’s huge cost structure — without any strings attached seems only fair and proper.