Managers at the Herald and Times group in Glasgow have confirmed that they have completed their restructuring operation without the need for compulsory redundancies.

Journalists at the Newsquest-owned titles were told to reapply for their jobs before Christmas in a plan to reduce the 250-strong workforce by 30-40.

At one stage, the number of applications for voluntary redundancy exceeded that target, with the result that some who had already applied were asked to interview for new roles.

Bosses have now confirmed that the process has been completed, with everyone offered a role in the new set-up except those whose redundancies had already been confirmed.

Managing editor Tom Thomson put the final number of voluntary redundancies at “just under 40,” though it is understood that the actual figure was 38.

Of those, it is believed that 22 were from The Herald, six from the Sunday Herald, five from the Evening Times, and five from the group’s digital operation.

At the same time the group has created nine new roles, which Mr Thomson said had gone mainly to people from outside the company rather than to those who had previously applied for voluntary redundancy.

In a memo to staff, editor-in-chief Donald Martin apologised for the “long period of uncertainty” and thanked staff for their professionalism.

“The main reason for the delay was management’s desire to avoid any compulsory redundancies in multimedia, production or content and I am delighted to confirm we have achieved that,” said the memo.

“All individuals, except those who have already had their voluntary redundancies confirmed, will be offered roles within the new set up.”

Comments

Jambo (03/03/2009 09:55:00)
I hope to God that this industry will stabalise soon.

Newshound (03/03/2009 11:17:41)
Stabilise, Jambo, STABILISE.
Just goes to show you can’t do without a good sub.

Lister (03/03/2009 15:23:59)
“…editor-in-chief Donald Martin apologised for the ‘long period of uncertainty’ and thanked staff for their professionalism.” That’s okay then. But wasn’t this the company that only a few weeks ago was treating its journalists so outrageously that its actions sparked protests in the Scottish Parliament?