Time's Up for Mag's DC Bureau

VOLUNTEERS? Time cuts

It's a nervous day in Time's Washington bureau, where staffers were given until 1:30 p.m. to volunteer for buyout packages rather than risk being laid off. The bureau was ordered by corporate parent, Time Inc., which announced a company-wide workforce reduction of 289 last month, to eliminate four jobs. Correspondents Tim Burger and Doug Waller both agreed to take the buyouts, but as of this morning two more volunteers were still needed.

"I know this has been a difficult process and a long one," wrote bureau chief Jay Carney in an e-mail to his staff earlier today. "In the interest of not extending the uncertainty any longer than necessary, I ask that if anyone is still considering whether or not to volunteer, they tell me now."