The Newspaper Guild is accusing the Cleveland Plain Dealer of reneging on an agreement to keep union staffing in the newsroom at 110 members.

The two sides had agreed months ago to lay-offs of about 50 newsroom employees as the paper shifts focus from print to a stronger on-line presence.

But the union says the numbers were all based on the idea that some employees would be offered on-line jobs before the layoffs took effect. Instead, it’s layoffs first, then the offers. That means if some newsroom employees accept an offer to move to Cleveland.com, newsroom ranks will drop below 110.  Union members, including unit Chairman and reporter Harlan Spector,  protested today outside the paper’s headquarters.