Journalists at a group of weekly newspapers in Yorkshire threatened with up to 18 job cuts have voted overwhelmingly for strike action.
The ballot results saw 100pc in favour of strike action on a 90pc turnout.
In June publisher Johnston Press announced plans to axe 18 posts at South Yorkshire Newspapers, including merging three weekly titles under one editor.
The posts of editor of both the South Yorkshire Times and Goole Courier will disappear, with both titles coming under the editor of the Selby Times.
National Union of Journalists northern and midlands regional organiser Chris Morley said: “This astonishing result has been provoked by South Yorkshire Newspapers’ reckless proposals.
Editor of the Mexborough based South Yorkshire times Jim Oldfield published a story on the front page of the newspaper about the job cuts. He said he made no apologies for keeping the readers in touch with the proposed changes.
Managing director of the company John Bills blamed the cutbacks on “underperforming advertising and circulation” and said that although 18 jobs were at risk of redundancy, there were eight vacancies within the company that those affected would be encouraged to apply for.
Johnston Press did not wish to comment on the ballot result.
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If the strike does go ahead, it will give Times readers a taste of the kind of Doncaster-based rubbish they can expect if the Editor is axed.
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underperforming advertising – so who gets the bullet then?
The ad managers?
Oh, no.
It’s the bloody journalists – AGAIN.
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This is the latest tale in the saga of proprietors willing to risk standards deteriorating as they axe staff, and the NUJ fighting for jobs and papers that are properly funded and professionally run. As an NUJ life member I am proud of all my colleagues who are prepared to battle for jobs and standards. Chris Morley is right. The management are indeed “reckless”, and this recklessness is wrecking the industry. Very best of luck to the strikers protecting what has been aptly described as “the soul of journalism”.
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Unfortunately, Hacked off seems to have a chip on his/her shoulder against advertising. Firstly, if you would like to take a look at the latest redundancies you will notice that the majority are in advertising, particularly at management levels. Secondly, without the advertising revenues, that in the current climate are not easy to maintain, all journalists would be out of their jobs. If you think its an easy ride generating revenue then why not pop across to see how difficult it is to sell at the present time.
Given the recent stories surrounding national press, and their difficulties in achieving balanced books, it comes as no surprise as printed media is declining rapidly due to the internet.
There is definitely room for improvement and some of the decision making processes need to be examined, but sadly I see little chance of change in the near future, if ever.
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Hacked off do you even know what you are talking about. 8 positions down to 3 for the advertising management of SYN. It appears when ever anything goes wrong editorial are first to jump up and down and blame the commercial team. you will be wanting our support when you strike but are intent on creating a blame culture and division between departments. Get in the real world cuts have to be made to move the business forward !!!!!
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Andrew I think the readers of the Times are used to rubbish as it is without anyone else intervening.
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