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Go ahead for plans to move Midlands subs' jobs

Plans to move sub-editing jobs on a series of West Midlands weeklies are to go ahead, it was confirmed yesterday.

Regional publisher Newsquest plans to use an existing subbing hub in Worcester for its titles currently produced at Stourbridge.

They include the Stourbridge News, Halesowen News, Dudley News, Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Advertiser and Redditch Advertiser.

Ten National Union of Journalists’ members at the titles recently voted in favour of strike action over the fate of the three sub-editors whose jobs are being moved as a result.

An internal company memo dated 16 June read: “Following five weeks of consultations the proposal to move the Stourbridge subbing operation to Worcester will go ahead.

“Detailed plans will now be drawn up for the move, which should be completed within the next six to eight weeks.

“As outlined originally, the move is necessary to save costs and to free up the Stourbridge editors to allow them to concentrate on quality improvements and editorial developments for the future.”

Newsquest Stourbridge publisher Peter John confirmed that the plan was going ahead but said he would be making no further comment.