Has Woonsocket Printed Its Last Newspaper?

After more than 100 years of printing a daily newspaper from offices in the city, The Call maybe be moving its printing operation out of state to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette's print offices in Massachusetts. 

The move, which began as a temporary solution after The Call's machinery broke down, has put four people on temporary layoff according to Martin Callaghan, president of the Boston Newspaper Printing Pressmen's Union Local No. 3.

Though the press, a relic purchased from the New York Times by the Woonsocket newspaper, has required repairs in the past, the most recent break-down may have been its last.

"It's a very old single litho press and it's quite a gem," said Callaghan. The union president hopes to meet with Barry Mechanic, publisher of The Call who has recently been on vacation, later this week to discuss the future of the four employees.

"The main objective is just to find out about these people's jobs. A couple of them are very long term employees," Callaghan said.

Originallly known as The Evening Call, the paper is owned by Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers, a publisher with executives in Illinois that purchased eight papers throughout the state from Journal Register Company in 2007. 

"I guess they're calling the shots," said Callaghan. 

As president of the pressmen's union, Callaghan has found himself dealing with similar situations several times over the past few years, as newspapers across New England cut back operations.

"It's mostly due to economic consolidation. This situation is unique in that it's because of an older piece of equipment that would require extensive investment."