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NUJ discusses industrial action at Johnston Press |
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Monday, 18 August 2008 |
All National Union of Journalist members working at Johnston titles throughout the country are to be consulted about potential industrial action following cuts and planned job losses by the publisher.
Members at the Blackpool Gazette say cuts are "engendering illegal working practices."
The Union said that their representatives from Johnston Press met last week and unanimously backed a motion of no confidence in the company’s senior management. They also discussed a "coordinated response" against cuts and lack of investment in journalism.
NUJ Manchester told us that journalists hadn’t been replaced at some titles meaning some staff were working exceedingly long hours.
In recent days, How-Do has received several tip offs, regarding possible cuts at North West titles, but so far neither publisher, nor papers have returned our many calls to advise us when, where and if these may take place.
The Union’s chapel at the Blackpool Gazette has already written to the management to complain about the "systematic destruction" of the paper through under-investment:
"This fine hard working and historic newspaper now faces the worst crisis in morale, and conditions, in working memory of all involved. A recruitment freeze is redundancy by any other name and via the back door. It drives others out and engenders illegal working practices, in hours worked, and rest periods and shift breaks not taken."
"A tipping point has been reached - and the latest cuts are now threatening the very future of the papers," added NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear.
"If you continue to deny resources for editorial you inevitably produce worse products and why would businesses advertise in or readers buy such products.
"We won’t sit back and allow jobs and quality journalism to be threatened. The mood amongst our members is one of determination to actively oppose cuts which damage quality, lead to increased workloads, threaten the future of the titles and put at risk more jobs".
It should be noted that we have been unable to get any official response from Johnston Press despite a number of calls and emails to their head office.
However, unofficially, we understand that they are aware of the union plans and that they are trying to minimise the effects of proposed job cuts.
Meetings are expected to take place with management to prevent industrial action taking place. Something to add? Then leave a comment below or email us now.
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