AddThis SmartLayers

Journalists to strike for second time in two months

Union members on the picket line in April

Journalists at Tindle newspapers in London have voted to strike for a second time claiming management has refused to negotiate with them over non-replacement of  staff.

In a 100pc ‘yes’ vote, the editor of the papers Gary O’ Keeffe also supported the union’s ballot to take a stand against Sir Ray Tindle’s North London and Herts newspapers.

The union staged a strike in April over non-replacement of staff.  Since then another reporter has left and the union, now referring to themselves as the Enfield nine, say that just two reporters will be left writing stories for nine newspapers.

North London and Herts Newspapers comprises: The Enfield Advertiser, The Edmonton Advertiser and Herald, The Winchmore Hill Advertiser and Herald, The Haringey Advertiser, The Enfield Gazette, The Barnet and Potters Bar Press, The East Barnet Press and Advertiser, The Edgware and Mill Hill Press, The Hendon and Finchley Press

Speaking to HTFP, Father of Chapel Jonathan Lovett called it a ‘crazy’ and ‘impossible’ situation.

He said the strike was the result of management’s refusal to meet or even discuss the desperate situation at the Enfield-based papers, where two thirds of the newsdesk have left without being replaced.

Said Jonathan: “The latest cuts and suicidal policy of non-replacement is final proof that Tindle couldn’t give a damn about quality papers. The man who claims he is the saviour of local newspapers is, in our experience, the destroyer as he runs once loved, award-winning publications into the ground – an insult to our readers.

“The battle for the soul of the local press is raging up and down the country and now is the time for chapels, journalists and concerned readers to stand up and be counted before it is too late and fantastic local papers that once made a difference in their communities are consigned to the scrap heap.”

He said negotiations had broken down after a meeting with management last week had been cancelled. Members were then told that nothing would be said until the company’s board meeting on 22 June.

The date for strike action may  coincide with a event in Enfield early next month when the NUJ will launch a national campaign to save local newspapers.

The public forum will take place at 6.30pm on Monday, July 4 at the Dugdale Centre, Thomas Hardy House, London Road, Enfield Town, EN2 6DS.

Tindle management could not be contacted at the time of going to press.

3 comments

You can follow all replies to this entry through the comments feed.
  • June 15, 2011 at 2:34 pm
    Permalink

    I feel their pain.

    Tindle management do not want to listen to the views of the ‘peasants’ and seem happy to stick their heads in the sand.

    I’m glad someone is taking a stand. Good luck.

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)
  • June 16, 2011 at 1:25 pm
    Permalink

    My first question to the Journalist’s at Enfield would be are they at all commercially minded?

    The Business has continued to suffer rising losses for a considerable amount of time and many businesses in this situation have not only been of the viewpoint to not replace staff but to make redundancies. Indeed as the Recession has taken full force this is something that has been reflected across the UK!

    Unfortunately we have all had to adapt and adjust to new roles to accommodate this situation that we are sadly in which is only reflective of the carelessness of our previous Government and Greedy Bankers not the owner of Tindle Newspapers.

    I find it hard to understand local MP Andy Love’s backing as I feel it is commendable of Sir Ray to not entertain redundancies at such a time instead he continues to run the Enfield Business at a loss and chooses to keep the staff there in jobs rather than make redundancies putting even more of a strain on the economy and not the way forward to pull us out of this recession.

    I understand that the Editorial Team at Enfield have suffered reduced numbers and I realise wholeheartedly that they feel the papers are not of the same quality however this is something that again has been reflected across the UK as we know the recession has hit local press so hard, each category has unfortunately suffered reduced revenue’s resulting in lower paginations (less editorial) and in many cases reduced papers.

    Perhaps the team should considering changing and adapting their roles to even out the workload, not easy im sure, but not impossible. I would also like to go back to my previous point that hasn’t the workload decreased considerably due to lower paginations and reduced papers!

    In every business the key to its survival is flexibility perhaps the Enfield Journalists should consider this and work with the Management Team not against!

    Report this comment

    Like this comment(0)