Colonial Williamsburg workers will be taking a day off each month without pay for the next seven months to help cut costs.
"We have experienced the same kind of economic impact that the entire nation has felt," said Tom Shrout, director of public affairs for CW. "We are working to do what we can to minimize the impact on our operations by trimming costs. That includes payroll, which is one of our largest expenses."
Starting in March, the day without pay will amount to a 2.5 percent pay cut for each salaried employee.
Colin G. Campbell, president of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is giving himself an even bigger pay cut -- 10 percent of his annual salary of $485,000. Other foundation administrative officers will take a 5 percent cut in pay.
A memo from Campbell was e-mailed yesterday to all Colonial Williamsburg employees to announce the cuts.
Campbell said that a fall-off in tourism began in mid-2008 and has worsened. Ticket sales were down 9 percent in 2008 from the previous year. Business travelers have booked fewer conferences, and leisure travelers have taken fewer trips.
Since November, Colonial Williamsburg has reduced expenses by more than $20 million, Campbell said. The day without pay will save about $1 million.
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