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Four subbing jobs go in restructure at Midlands publisher

MNA-MediaFour sub-editors are set to leave a regional publishing group as part of a restructure of its production operation.

As reported on HTFP last month, the Midland News Association announced it was seeking requests for voluntary redundancy as part of a plan to introduce “more efficient ways of working” across its business.

The MNA, which runs daily titles the Shropshire Star and Wolverhampton’s Express & Star, has now confirmed that four sub-editors have successfully applied for VR and will leave their jobs by the end of March.

A proposal to transfer some sub-editing roles from Wolverhampton to the Shropshire Star offices, in Telford, was considered as part of the restructure. However, the company has now said subbing work will continue to be split across the two sites.

An MNA spokesman said: “Following the recent discussions with staff, four sub editors have successfully applied for voluntary redundancy and will leave by the end of March. There will be no compulsory redundancies.

“Production and sub editing work will continue to be split across the two sites, Wolverhampton and Telford, to meet the business needs.

“Discussions with staff continue about various new roles and response to the reorganisation has been positive.”

The latest announcement comes four months after the MNA revealed five out of 12 photographic roles across the company were at risk of redundancy.

At the time, the National Union of Journalists warned further cuts could be at the pipeline at the group despite its “long history of commitment to real local news”.

12 comments

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  • February 4, 2016 at 8:56 am
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    “Four sub-editors have successfully applied for voluntary redundancy.”
    Failure dressed up as success. It almost sounds like a good-news story, doesn’t?

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  • February 4, 2016 at 9:16 am
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    The perfect end to a perfect CV

    “Successfully applied for redundancy at MNA”

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  • February 4, 2016 at 9:33 am
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    Another week, another batch of good people directed to the Job centre as the company yes men strive to cling on to their inflated salaries and company cars.

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  • February 4, 2016 at 10:11 am
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    Given how long most MNA staff have been on the job for, I’d say that’s about 120 years of experience walking out the door in a month.

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  • February 4, 2016 at 10:57 am
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    “more efficient ways of working” across its business.”
    I think the word they meant was “economical”.
    If something is efficient is works well.
    As JP, NQ, and TM have proved getting rid of people makes papers less efficient.
    And ironically less economic in the long run as standards fall, then sales and ad income drop.

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  • February 4, 2016 at 11:13 am
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    RT: Yep, photographers being shown door at TM titles – time for HTFP to run the story. But anyone can take pictures now with their phones, can’t they? What’s the problem… bar lampposts growing out of people’s heads, poor composition, rotten resolution, lack of sharpness and so on?

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  • February 4, 2016 at 12:39 pm
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    Another week another axe falls in the regional press
    There’s a theme developing which we’ve all seen coming and which is likely to continue throughout the year until nothing of value or quality remains.

    All the best to the good people affected

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  • February 5, 2016 at 7:06 am
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    in light of recent ABC figures, it’s frankly astonishing that just the four people applied . . . “following recent discussions with staff . . .”, not that staff views have ever carried any weight in MNA.

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  • February 5, 2016 at 9:40 pm
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    No chance of the overpaid fat cats at the top going. They are so out of touch let’s face it they would never get another job in the real world. The place is run on fear, always has been. Got to love the Advertising dept. Two directors, then the false click of managers underneath who are untouchable. How sad to see talented subs go when these useless individuals remain. When will the CEO wake up!

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  • February 6, 2016 at 11:01 am
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    I remember when they made cuts in production and the manager went on a society golfing day and nowhere to be seen when his loyal staff were getting the chop! A couple of directors must count their blessings how they escape the cull year after year and check their pension statements each month with a smug grin. Just wish the CEO could see them for what they really are. Useless! Never mind with skin as thick as rhino keep parading around the county in that Jag, oblivious to what people really think of you and the once great paper!

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