In a memo to staffers this morning, St. Petersburg Times editor, CEO and Chairman Paul Tash tells staffers that strong response to the company's early retirement incentives means "we can avoid the general layoffs I warned might be coming" when the voluntary retirement offer was closed.

Tash says 200 staffers across the company, 150 full time and 50 part time, accepted the enhanced retirement benefit, or 40 percent of all staff aged 50 and up with five years' service or more. According to the terms of the retirement package, those staffers will depart the company by the month's end, including editor of editorials Phil Gailey, business columnist Helen Huntley, business writer and former features/sports guy Tom Zucco, former food critic Chris Sherman, and many more.

Critics have said some staff reductions at the paper which could be called layoffs, have not been classified as such internally. Still, the news offsets some anxiety here amid rumors that layoffs might be coming later this year.

Click below to see the text of the memo:

Dear Colleagues:

For the last three months, we have been operating in a climate of some uncertainty, while staffers eligible for the 5-plus-5 retirement program were deciding whether to participate. We now have clarity around that question, and have reached some decisions about what happens next.

The response to the retirement program was quite strong, a sign of the benefit many staffers saw in it. In round numbers, 200 staffers -- 150 full time and 50 part time -- signed up for the program; that's roughly 40 percent of those who were eligible. Except for those who have retired already, they will be departing within the next two weeks. They have our heartfelt thanks for their service, and our best wishes.

Because participation was so strong, we can avoid the general layoffs I warned might be coming at the end of the 5-plus-5 plan. Some staffers will be asked to take on new responsibilities or assignments, but at least for the foresseable future, we will not have the more sweeping measures that often are employed in such a harsh business climate.

All around the Times, we are adapting to the reality of a smaller staff, and let me be clear: that work must continue into September and beyond. We will keep being cautious about any new hires, even as staffers leave for new jobs or places. We will keep looking for better ways to organize our work, so that it requires fewer people. And we will continue to monitor performance closely, so that the Times gets real value from every position.

With many of our fellow staffers preparing to depart, those of us remaining have the chance to re-commit ourselvew to the difficult but vital work of adapating the Times to changing consumer tastes and challenging economic times. By bringing our creative energy and best efforts to this task, we serve the best interests of our customers, our company and ourselves. Now, let's get on with it.

.