Monday, July 11, 2005

Contradiction in O'Sullivan statements

The page one article in Saturday's Lamar Democrat on the layoffs at O'Sullivan Industries doesn't really tell the reader much, but there is a fascinating quote from David Turney, director of investor relations at O'Sullivan Industries.
'O'Sullivan has a strong market presence and their products are selling well." He also says that the layoffs are only temporary.
On the same day, in a Joplin Globe article written by Andy Ostmeyer, it was confirmed that the layoffs are permanent. The official cited in the Globe article was Kevin McCarthy, vice president of human resources at O'Sullivan's corporate headquarters in Atlanta. And Turney, the same official quoted in the Democrat story, told the Globe, "This is probably not temporary." Turney's comment of improved sales also seems to be a bit of fiction since, as the Globe article pointed out, sales dropped $32 million during the last quarter.
Another quote from the Democrat story, "Turney pointed out that all employees laid off earlier were called back, and the plan is to do the same this time."
Apparently, Turney was not worried about anyone from the Democrat pressing him with any hard-hitting questions. Company officials knew better than to try that approach with a veteran reporter like Ostmeyer with the Globe.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Did you also notice the two large pictures posted next to the "O'Sullivan" head line. Neither of them had anything to do with any stories on the front page, but they were in color.