The National Union of Journalists today hit out at the planned changes to the Birmingham Post and Mail as “an assault on journalism and civil society in the West Midlands.”

Union members in Birmingham are to meet tomorrow to consider their response to what are being termed “savage” cuts to their titles.

The union claimed as long ago as 24 June that publisher Trinity Mirror was planning to take the Post weekly and switch the Mail to overnight printing, claiming to have seen leaked documents about the proposal.

But it says the announcement of 40 editorial jobs losses was worse than anticipated, and has attacked plans to abolish an agreed shift allowance for sub-editors working late into the night, although Trinity says this is to help keep job losses to a minimum.

Northern regional organiser Chris Morley, a former Post and Mail journalist, said: “There is overwhelming disbelief and anger among our members in the Midlands at this announcement.

“It is the latest – and worst – betrayal in a long line by Trinity Mirror of its Midlands operations and is nothing less than the corporate equivalent of self-harm.

“Months of so-called consultation showed the folly of the original plans and dangers they posed for the longer-term future of the papers and digital operations. Our chapels entered those consultations positively and in good faith but have had that thrown back in their faces.

“Our members are utterly demoralised with Trinity Mirror but in no mood to take this lying down. We will support them in every way at this critical time.”

General secretary Jeremy Dear added: “This is an assault on journalism and civil society in the West Midlands.

“The NUJ will support our members in Birmingham in whatever action they decide to take to stand up for journalists and journalism.”

Responding to the union’s comments on the abolition of the late shift payment for subs, a Trinity Mirror spokesperson said: “In order to keep the number of editorial role reductions to a minimum, we are proposing to remove the 10pc premium payment for people working after 7pm.

“By doing so, it is hoped we will save in the region of 2-3 roles from redundancy across the newsroom.”

Comments

Chris Youett (21/10/2009 16:39:59)
Let us suppose that Trinity Mirror boss Sly Bailey had to go into hospital tomorrow. She would naturally expect to be seen by an experienced consultant as well as fullt-trained doctors and nurses.
Yet she is happy for TM to impose new systems on Brum which have not been properly piloted or designed and implemented by IT professionals. The world’s most powerful company, IBM, told the UK media that their business model or almost giving away digital services would never make them any money. So why are they giving away even more in Brum?

paul (21/10/2009 17:29:05)
chris clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about. If he did, he would be aware that this happens elsewhere already. And only a fool would compare surgery and journalism.