Ten sub-editors jobs are at risk of redundancy in Hampshire as a result of plans to create a centralised subbing unit across a series of daily and weekly titles.

The plans announced by Newsquest Hampshire involves journalists working on the Southern Daily Echo, Basingstoke Gazette series, Andover Advertiser, Hampshire Chronicle and Salisbury Journal series.

If accepted the proposal, which will create a centralised unit in Southampton, will lead to the loss of between eight and ten full-time equivalent editorial production posts throughout the region.

A total of 43 full and part-time staff are affected and all have been informed their jobs are at risk.

The plans were set out in a statement issued to staff this week by Southern Daily Echo editor and Newsquest Hampshire editor-in-chief Ian Murray.

“As part of on-going efficiency and streamlining initiatives within the editorial departments in Hampshire it has been recognised that the creation of a centralised subbing unit based at Redbridge could provide all sub-editing and production requirements for the Southampton, Winchester, Basingstoke, Andover and Salisbury centres,” he said.

“Similar centralised subbing operations already exist within the Newsquest group as well as the industry as a whole. It is, therefore, now proposed that such a centralised subbing unit be created at Redbridge with a potential date to start operations in December of this year.

“The consequences will be to propose a revised departmental structure with newly-created positions which could result in a headcount reduction of up to ten full-time equivalent personnel. This will, regrettably, put all current jobs within the areas of news, sports and features subbing, together with design work, within the above centres, at risk of redundancy.”

An initial consultation meeting with staff at which the revised structure and newly-created positions were discussed will take place today.

There will then be a formal 30-day period of consultation, ending at close of business on Thursday 11 December 2008.

Mr Murray said he hoped that the proposed redundancies can be achieved on a voluntary basis, although the company reserves the right to refuse an application in order to keep the necessary skills set within the business.

But he added that in the event of not reaching the required numbers, compulsory redundancies will be necessary.

Comments

Nik Kershaw (12/11/2008 10:02:03)
How many is this now? What’s the running total? I’d be interested to see an audit of ALL the regional press jobs lost in the past 12 months. There’s Trinity in B’ham, the Archant newsroom mingling in Norfolk and Suffolk, all the Glasgow debacle, the south-east weeklies, Newsquest here, there and everywhere. The truth should be told – all the commentators are shying away from revealing the true devastation to livelihoods.

Lois Lane (17/11/2008 11:04:25)
Lovely timing too – merry christmas from Newsquest! Soon there wont be any meat left on the carcus.