Inquirer, Daily News, Philly.com have new No. 2 leader

Mike Lorenca is now the company's No. 2 executive.
Mike Lorenca is now the company's No. 2 executive.
By Maria Panaritis, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: September 27, 2012

The company that owns The Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and Philly.com on Tuesday promoted Mike Lorenca to chief operating officer and general manager of newspaper operations, charging the No. 2 executive to run negotiations with unions whose contracts are days from expiring.

In taking the lead role in concessionary talks with roughly 1,200 full-time and part-time truck drivers, machinists, press operators, and others - a priority, in Lorenca's words - the former human resources head will free up Interstate General Media publisher Bob Hall to focus on a turnaround strategy for the area's two largest daily newspapers and dominant regional website, Hall said. Hall said of Lorenca: "He has an excellent rapport and mutual respect with all the labor leaders."

Lorenca will report to Hall as he runs talks with 10 bargaining units representing 13 labor contracts - bargaining expected to intensify as contracts for production workers approach an Oct. 8 expiration date. "These are the most challenging negotiations that this company has ever faced," said Lorenca, who joined the company in 2007 under previous ownership. "The most pressing priority is to bring the union negotiations to a successful resolution," Lorenca said.

As chief operating officer, he also will oversee information technology and production at the company, purchased this year by local investors from hedge funds that had taken control during bankruptcy.

Lorenca and his wife have five children and live in Toms River, N.J.

John Laigaie, whose Teamsters Local 628 represents newspaper delivery drivers, called Lorenca "a credible guy" and said the owners had done "the right thing." But he spoke gravely of the concessions being sought, including wage cuts and a desire to outsource his members' jobs.

"I have the least amount of optimism I've ever had for this place," Laigaie said.

Contact Maria Panaritis at 215-854-2431 or mpanaritis@phillynews.com.

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