Orlando’s WMFE lays off 15 more staffers

WMFE is cutting 15 jobs and canceling The Arts Connection program due to falling revenue. The job losses at the Orlando station are 28 percent of its staff. Station prez Jose Fajardo said departing staffers include a radio reporter, two receptionists, a program scheduler and one person from engineering, membership and finance. The staff also must take two weeks of unpaid leave, and employer-matching retirement funds have been stopped for “the foreseeable future.” Other measures include scaling back janitorial services, cell phones and supplies. It’s the second time in five months the station has laid off staff; in October 2008, 10 positions were hit.