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Journalists balloted for industrial action over Newsquest job cuts

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Journalists are being balloted on whether to take industrial action over plans to cut 15 editorial jobs.

As previously reported on HTFP, Newsquest announced plans last month to axe 25 roles across its York, Bradford and Darlington centres and create 10 new posts.

Now members of the York chapel of the National Union of Journalists are being balloted for action over the proposals.

Staff at risk in York under the planned restructure include the editor and deputy of the Ryedale Gazette and Herald, an internet editor, digital community publisher, newsroom assistant and deputy sports editor.

A new social media editor post is being created in York, while the roles of chief sub, night production editor, features editor and content editor will transfer to Bradford.

The industrial action ballot has begun today and closes on 4 June.

NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser Chris Morley said: “Our members in York are incensed that yet again the company is looking to force its journalists out of their livelihoods in yet more knee-jerk cuts.

“They want to put a marker down to the company that it is going too far and that it risks destroying the very essence of its titles as sources of trusted, quality, local news.

“There is already a backlash in the community at news of these cuts and we know our members’ stand will be greatly supported by the city they serve.”

Editor roles under threat as a result of last month’s announcement include those of the Craven Herald’s Andrew Hitchon, Richard Parker of the Keighley News and Catherine Turnbull of the Ilkley Gazette and Wharfedale Observer.

Eleven roles are set to disappear in Darlington, along with six in York and eight in Bradford.

Eight new roles will be created in a new production unit in Bradford catering for all Newsquest titles in Yorkshire and the North-East.

No one from Newsquest had responded to requests for a comment about the ballot at the time of publication.

10 comments

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  • May 21, 2015 at 5:26 pm
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    You do get me I’m part of the union
    You do get me I’m part of the union
    You do get me I’m part of the union
    Because I’m in the NUJ

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  • May 21, 2015 at 8:35 pm
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    Where are the N.U.J. as the photographers are being culled ?

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  • May 21, 2015 at 11:36 pm
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    When I needed the union, they did not and would not help. Save your cash and leave

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  • May 22, 2015 at 9:33 am
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    As you can imagine I sympathise with those about to lose their jobs. It happened to me.

    But there’s no point fighting it. Newsquest has no other plan for survival than cutting the wage bill.

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  • May 22, 2015 at 9:51 am
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    Stand up to these greedy bar stewards. They don’t like it when revenue is threatened. Follow Glasgow’s example last year and refuse to transfer. Management soon backed down

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  • May 22, 2015 at 10:35 am
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    The NUJ, what a joke. I was made redundant from a junior reporting role more than 30 years ago when the NUJ’s beloved ‘brothers-in-arms’ at the time, the printers’ union, kindly decided to carry on working while 10 of their colleagues in editorial got the bullet. Did the NUJ protest at their selfishness ? No. Fast forward a few years and lefties at the NUJ were constantly agitating for strike action because these same printers’ jobs were at risk from new technology. Did I care a jot about the printers by then ? No, not after my own personal experience of them. I could go on about the uselessness and political shenanigans of the NUJ over the following decades but there’s really no point. I tore up my membership card years ago and the union is now a hopeless, spent force.

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  • May 22, 2015 at 12:49 pm
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    Newsquest must be trembling in their boots!
    The mere thought of NUJ action must be enough to give them sleepless nights.
    Onlooker — I have similar experience of NUJ buffoonery and tore up my membership card in 1982.
    To those poor individuals who are losing their jobs I say (with a heavy heart): “There is no way you can win.”

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  • May 22, 2015 at 1:05 pm
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    I’m afraid I only have positive things to say about the NUJ. When I needed them they were there in a flash and supported me at a very difficult time. Without their support I would have been bullied out of my job at a time when I needed work to raise a family.

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  • May 22, 2015 at 1:31 pm
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    Totally agree with Onlooker. A bitter, vengeful bunch even back in the days when they had some power. My card went the same way at the first available opportunity.

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  • May 22, 2015 at 4:00 pm
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    Maybe the NUJ should not spend £1.2M (surplus according to the NUJ magazine) tarting up their HQ in Kings Cross. That money might be better fighting cuts or providing strike pay.

    Self serving? They just don’t get it.

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