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Up to 90 journalists’ jobs to go at Scottish titles

Up to 90 journalists’ jobs are to go at two of Scotland’s biggest titles in a restructure announced by publisher Trinity Mirror.

The Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail are to outsource design and subbing of some magazine and features pages to the Press Association and share non-Scottish news and features with London-based national sister titles.

It is anticipated that the changes will result in around 90 editorial job losses and the company has now entered into a period of consultation with staff.

National Union of Journalists officials say they are to have urgent talks with Daily Record management representatives tomorrow about the proposals.

Trinity Mirror says the plans will result in the creation of “one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient digital newsrooms in Europe.”

It says the editorial team in Scotland will be focused on providing “the best Scottish stories and features” and will also be responsible for deciding which national stories are appropriate for a Scottish readership.

Editor-in-chief Bruce Waddell said:  “In common with all newspapers, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail are not immune from the current difficult economic conditions and our industry is experiencing unprecedented structural change.

“Ultimately, our plan will retain what the Daily Record and Sunday Mail does best – the generation and production of brilliant Scottish news and sports – while safeguarding their future success for generations to come.”

However NUJ Scottish Organiser Paul Holleran said:  “We are absolutely shocked and stunned at the news.  We are meeting with management tomorrow to discuss their proposals for handling the cuts and suggesting alternatives.

“We will be arguing such a savage cut in jobs would be destructive for the future of the Daily Record and Sunday Mail in Scotland and arguing that the company should reconsider.

“The company’s proposals would mean a significant number of editorial jobs would be taken out of Scotland and this would impact on the Daily Record and Sunday Mail’s unique Scottish identity.

“The loss of such a high volume of jobs to journalism in Scotland is totally unacceptable.”

 

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  • June 8, 2011 at 5:19 pm
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    “one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient digital newsrooms in Europe.”

    translates to – we have no staff, everything is automated – ctrl shift F2, writes, subs and proofs in one easy step.

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  • June 8, 2011 at 5:55 pm
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    NUJ Scotland reaping what they sow here. Two years ago when cuts were made “no compulsary redundancies” boomed Mr Holleran. Four weeks later came the meek surrender in which after those who had taken voluntary redundancy, two employees would be offered as the sacrificial lambs for the compulsary programme. Only two but a precedent had been set and this particular chicken has come home to roost. One member said at the time that the NUJ had only succeeded in merely “clipping the company’s toenails” only for Mr Holleran to shout him down. Well……..

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  • June 9, 2011 at 9:19 am
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    So PA is about to get rid of it’s remaining multimedia staff and is concentrating on “traditional” news production, but they don’t have enough staff to keep up with the existing work, let alone taking on more from TM. Howden is enough of a sweat shop already but the extra demands will push the workers over the edge I reckon. And if TM’s Scottish staff disrupt production today guess who is on standby to pick up the work? That’ll be PA’s scabs again.

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  • June 9, 2011 at 11:47 am
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    So PA is about to get rid of it’s remaining multimedia staff

    Subs in England don’t know their grammar eh?

    It is remaining multimedia staff?

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  • June 14, 2011 at 9:18 am
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    @Sport Geexer
    Bang to right’s guv, but if I used any identifier that was vaguely close to my real persona I’d loose my PA pension!

    PS: How many mistakes there?

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