The USAT layoffs affect 26 newsroom posts and 11 jobs at USA Weekend magazine. Nearly two months ago, the Audit Bureau of Circulations’ Fas-Fax survey showed that USAT experienced its worst paid circ drop off in 27 years. As a result the paper lost its spot as the number one daily in paid circ to the WSJ. The loss was attributed to the weak travel spending, as USAT has traditionally relied on automatic hotel deliveries to guests. On top of that poor travel market, the Marriott canceled many of its guest deliveries.

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Last summer, McLean, Va.-based Gannett said it would cut 1,400 employees—3 percent of its workforce—in the face of ad declines. Since then, rumors have continued to circulate about further job losses, but none have materialized.

In his furlough memo, Dickey said that the company sees some encouraging signs, such as slowing ad declines—that said, Q3 net income fell nearly 47 percent. Still, recognizing the fragility of the recovery, the mandatory time-off is being implemented as part of a “conservative approach toward managing our business.” The furloughs must be taken by March 28.