Utica OD Will Outsource Printing: More Color, New Section, Job Loss

Utica, NY (WIBX) - The Observer-Dispatch will feature color on every page in its daily publication beginning on June 22nd, according to President and Publisher Donna Donovan.

The OD will be outsource its printing operations to Gannett Central New York in Johnson City, near Binghamton, Donovan said.

"We have a 65-year-old printing press and we have a 25-year-old setup in our mailroom. Both of those are pieces of machinery are becoming obsolete and have needed a lot of repair and retooling," Donovan said.

The change means the virtual elimination of the OD's pressroom and mailroom, she said, meaning the loss of 24 full-time positions and 26 part-time jobs.

Four of the roughly 30 part-time positions will be kept for the purpose of unloading papers as they return to Utica from the Gannett facility.

The change is not expected to impact delivery times, Donovan said, although a couple carriers may receive the papers later that normal. But, they'll still be able to meet the 6:00 a.m. delivery deadline, she said.

Customers "...are going to see a full color newspaper, and we're going to be adding a fourth section just for community news," Donovan said.

The Observer-Dispatch prints 35,000 copies each day and 40,000 on Sunday, she said.