Houston ? The Houston Chronicle is laying off about 12 percent of its work force.

In a story posted Tuesday on the Chronicle’s Web site, Publisher Jack Sweeney blamed the cuts on the troubles of the newspaper industry, though he noted that all kinds of companies are being forced to slash expenses.

Sweeney did not specify how many jobs are to be cut or what departments they serve. Laid-off workers will receive two weeks of pay for each year of service, up to one year’s pay. The employees also will be offered career transition services.

The Chronicle is owned by privately held Hearst Corp., which last week stopped printing the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and moved it online only. Hearst also has threatened to close the San Francisco Chronicle unless it can make deep cuts.