The long-time policy of Plain Dealer ownership to never lay off anyone in PD management was blown to bits on Thursday, April 8, at approximately 11 a.m. The hammer came down in the PD conference room known as the “fish bowl” as a few dozen non-union and managerial employees were handed envelopes containing buyout offers. Sources say Editor Susan Golberg informed the gathering that each person would have 45 days to decide whether or not to accept a six-month’s salary buyout, and if not enough employees accepted this offer, layoffs would commence. Apparently publisher Terrance Egger — who had been pushing repeal of the “no-layoffs for management pledge” for at least a year — finally convinced Advance Publications (which owns the PD) to lop off some high-salaried heads.