Plimoth Plantation cuts veteran staff

            Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com (12-6-08)

PLYMOUTH - Layoffs blamed on declining admissions and an expected downturn
in the tourism industry have decimated the managerial ranks at Plimoth
Plantation.
The living history museum announced the layoffs of eight veteran employees
after the Plantation closed for the winter earlier this week. A ninth
employee opted into the reduction in force as the layoffs unfolded. The
reorganization consolidates most of managerial duties under four positions.
Two are newly created managerial positions. The museum's Board of Trustees
approved the reorganization at its November meeting.

Director John McDonagh said the layoffs result from a need to reduce the
museum's operating budget by 10 percent and reflects the museum's commitment
to maintaining a powerful, interactive experience for visitors. The eight
workers are responsible for much of the content of museum programs and
exhibits, but generally have limited interaction with the public.

McDonagh would not name the eight people who lost jobs but did identify
their positions. They are: the program manager of the Colonial
Interpretation Department, the curator of historical technologies, the
associate director for historic landscapes, the associate director for
facilities, the curator of museum reproductions, the manager of Colonial
wardrobe and textiles, the Colonial foodways manager, the director of museum
programs and the administrative assistant for programs.

An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity said the layoffs amount to
"a complete decapitation of the program division." The nine workers
represent more than 200 years of combined service to the museum. One of the
managers, alone, had been with the Plantation since 1979.

McDonagh acknowledged there is no denying the loss of intellectual capital.
"They provided great service for many years, and we're grateful and respect
the work they gave us," McDonagh said.

"Many were long-serving professionals here who had risen to management
roles. Principally, they have, over the years, brought great value to the
mission and our program. We had to look at that layer, that level, because
we wanted to protect and preserve of our front line interpreters as much as
possible because that's where the magic happens for visitors," McDonagh
said. . . .

Posted on History News Network Sunday, December 7, 2008


-- 
Jon Kukla
www.JonKukla.com

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