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Union hits out over Northcliffe job cuts

The National Union of Journalists has launched a strongly-worded attack on Northcliffe Media’s plans to axe more than 50 sub-editing roles announced yesterday.

The publisher is planning a reduction in the number of copy subs employed across the group with reporters in some centres writing stories directly onto templated pages.

It means a wholesale reorganisation of the six production hubs set up by the group last year with the hubs in Nottingham, Stoke and Plymouth at risk of closing altogether.

The NUJ has condemned the move as a “betrayal” of staff who took posts within the hubs rather than face redundancy, in some cases moving house in order to do so.

Northern and Midlands organiser Chris Morley said: “Northcliffe management are guilty of gross incompetence in driving through a discredited hub system that anyone with any sense knew would fail, and now, just 18 months later, that is exactly what has happened.

“While we welcome a return of production back to its communities, this has come at yet another unacceptable cost – the loss of another key layer of experienced journalists and loading of more tasks on those left such as already overstretched reporters.”

“The actions are driven by the revolt of editors against a system that they always knew was flawed but failed to stand up to at the time. Now it is yet another naked grab for further unsustainable profits on the back of mass redundancies.

“The key question is how do Northcliffe managers expect the same quality and volume of content to be maintained within the law on working hours?”

Mr Morley claimed staff had been left “bewildered” by what the called the company’s “topsy-turvy actions.”

There has as yet been no further comment from Northcliffe Media.

19 comments

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  • November 2, 2010 at 3:11 pm
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    I hope that the union can do something, although I struggle to think what. We all seem to just bend over and take whatever decisions our managers make. Not sure if this apathy is down to fear or belief that nothing can be done…any ideas? I think it is awful the way the company has treated so many of its staff and former staff, particularly those who moved house in order to take up a role in one of the hubs.

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  • November 2, 2010 at 3:49 pm
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    Congratulations to the NUJ. After a three-year pay freeze and numerous previous job cuts and “consolidations” they finally muster themselves to offer a weak criticism of Northcliffe. Horse, stable door…

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  • November 2, 2010 at 3:57 pm
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    Come on then, NUJ lets hit them hard – not just talk the talk on websites. Northcliffe are taking apart once proud newspapers. Yes it’s tough out there but how many other industries could cut the quality of their products and expect to survive…

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:12 pm
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    Strike I don’t imagine they do expect to survive. They’re draining the business of cash while they still can, and do not expect many of their titles to be around much longer, I suspect.

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:16 pm
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    You are right Mr Gravy. Therefore to my point that now is not the time for more ‘hot air’ NUJ.

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:31 pm
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    The NUJ = No Use to Journalists. All hot air and absolutely no action. They and the management are as bad as each other in different ways.

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:33 pm
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    Having been made redundant as a sub two years ago, I feel very sorry for anyone whose job is at risk. However, newspapers are dying rapidly. I urge everyone who is young enough to get out now and find another career. The jobs market will only get worse in the next couple of years as the spending cuts take effect and the VAT rise hits consumer spending.

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:37 pm
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    i am sure this strongly-worded statement from the NUJ will have the same pathetic effect it had on JP bosses who got rid of subs at Preston, Blackpool et al earlier this year. And the MEN last year etc etc

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  • November 2, 2010 at 4:45 pm
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    I love the way that every time the NUJ tries to speak up for its members the naysayers leap out of the woodwork saying it’s useless. If more of the threatened workers at, say, Bristol, were NUJ members it might help – the BUP had a reasonable membership but the Gloucester and Cheltenham contingent haven’t had more than a tiny membership for years and even allowed themselves to be bought off in a recognition ballot a few years ago. Perhaps they’re reaping the whirlwind now.. Meanwhile…so some subbing is going back out to the centres. Excellent, should never have left. But…Cheltenham has just moved to a smaller office. Will there be room??

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  • November 3, 2010 at 8:40 am
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    It is all very well to criticise the NUJ, but it is only as strong as its members will allow it to be. If the journos under threat and their colleagues want to protect – or more likely prolong – their futures, they must be prepared to fight Northcliffe all the way. If they fail to do so, I am afraid they will simply have to wait for the next turn of the screw.

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  • November 3, 2010 at 10:43 am
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    Managers on papers are like the rest of the workforce. In the current financial crisis (yes it is still a crisis despite what politicians say) they understandably want to keep their jobs. After all they have kids and big mortgages in many cases. So they don’t fight for the staff under them and just do as they are told by head office. It’s sad and terrible for morale as I know from ex work colleagues. But be honest. Wouldn’t you? I am so glad I am out of it.

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  • November 3, 2010 at 10:50 am
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    ex sub summed it up in one. Managers just pass the sh..down the line. It was always a bit like that in our game but now their spines have been ripped out by the number of hacks out of a job. A long stint on the dole line awaits. Perhaps a little understanding is required in what is a critical situation for hundreds of newspapers why barely have enough staff to get a paper out. Believe it or not managers are human too.

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  • November 3, 2010 at 11:44 am
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    ‘The NUJ speaks up for its members’ says one – the NUJ IS its members. If you are moaning about what the NUJ is/isn’t doing, you are moaning about what you are/aren’t doing! Go toa chapel meeting! Organise! Push for a strike ballot! And, most of all, make sure everyone in your community – readers, other media, advertisers especially, know what this very large, very profitable company is doing to local media in your area – because that’s what management really hate.

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  • November 3, 2010 at 12:10 pm
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    Exsub – You mentioned managers and their big mortgages, at least they could get one. I’d be lucky not to be laughed at if I applied for a mortgage on what Northcliffe pays me. We should have taken action when the press at Plymouth was closed.

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  • November 3, 2010 at 12:33 pm
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    Laws on working hours? Northcliffe is already working reporters into the ground

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  • November 3, 2010 at 5:59 pm
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    In response to Hilary, no need to budge extra desks up in Cheltenham, no new subs will be appointed or relocated. Instead, reporters will be writing directly into shapes created by the remaining design sub and the newsdesk are then expected to take on the role of copy sub, trying to retain what little quality can be offered. I’m off to change career…

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  • November 4, 2010 at 10:46 am
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    Seriously, is there a reporter or two out there working for a nice independent newspaper who can tell us how HAPPY and SATISFIED they are in journalism. I doubt you will find them in any of the big national companies, apart from the odd brown nose. Small may be beautiful.

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  • November 4, 2010 at 11:04 am
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    I was made redundant from a subs desk after our company did exactly the same as Northcliffe. If you are fed up with the NUJ (“Hubslave” etc) then think about joining the Chartered Institute of Journalists. They backed me all the way and I eventually reached a settlement with my ex-company and am very pleased.If you want a union that literally puts its money where it’s press releases are, then look up the IoJ website at http://www.cioj.co.uk

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  • November 5, 2010 at 11:06 am
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    I was offered a job in that hub, refused to be railroaded into a dead end position and took redundancy instead. Couldn’t face the third round of cuts in as many years. Really feel for the decent people who are still there clinging onto the sopping wet decks of a truly sinking ship :(

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