A number of employees of The Telegram and its Austin St. printing press received layoff notices on Friday, according to Unifor, which represents 37 union members who work as reporters, videographers, printing press operators and in advertising at The Telegram.

Staff learned Wednesday that four of the paper’s 13 newsroom positions would be eliminated. The cuts come after Postmedia acquired the insolvent Saltwire Network, which owned the paper.

In the deal, Postmedia chose not to purchase The Telegram‘s Austin St. printing press, which could mean the press will be shuttered, leaving Newfoundland and Labrador as the only province unable to print its own newspaper.

“This is a dark day for journalism, and for the dedicated workers who have given their blood, sweat and tears – some for decades – at this historic printing press that has operated for nearly 150 years,” said Unifor national president Lana Payne.

“Local news is vital in every community, but particularly in many of the more rural communities of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Unifor Atlantic regional director Jennifer Murray.

“It is truly heartbreaking to witness the closure of the province’s only wide format press that also services other community publications and pamphlets for labour, community and government clients. This will have a damaging ripple effect on the province, impacting how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians understand and interact with their communities,” she added.

Keith Gosse, head of the union representing workers at The Telegram, whose job was also eliminated, estimated that 17 workers would lose their jobs when the press closes. “And that doesn’t include office staff, sales clerks and customer service reps,” Gosse told CTV News Atlantic.