Union officials have called for plans to cut jobs at a Johnston Press subbing hub in Sheffield to be put on hold in the wake of the resignation of editor John Furbisher.
John decided to step down from his role at the helm of The Star this week, seven months after being appointed as editor of the Sheffield daily.
Earlier this month, the company started a consultation on plans to cut up to 10 jobs at its centralised subbing unit, which is based at The Star.
But after John’s resignation was announced, the National Union of Journalists has written to the company making a formal request for the proposed changes to be put on hold to allow a new editor to be appointed.
Chris Morley, the NUJ’s Northern and Midlands organiser, said he had been in a formal consultation about the cuts with John Furbisher and John Bills, MD of Sheffield Newspapers and South Yorkshire Newspapers, just a few hours before the resignation was announced.
He said he had now sent a request to Mr Bills about putting the plans on hold until a successor to John is appointed.
He wrote: “The sudden nature of John’s departure would indicate that there are significant doubts about the proposals and this only serves to underline the questions our members have about viability of the plans.
“In light of this, and the important role John Furbisher had in the consultation process to date, I formally request that the company immediately calls a moratorium on the proposals for the next two weeks to allow everyone to take stock of the situation.
“After all, a new editor will have to be appointed and I would expect them to be given time to properly consider the plans and be involved at all stages of the process if the company decided it still intended to proceed with the original plan.”
Johnston Press has insisted its plans would not result in an overall reduction in headcount but the NUJ is balloting its members for industrial action.
Johnston Press declined to comment on the union’s request.
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Editors do what they’re told like the rest of us. What makes anyone think a new one will behave any differently? If John quit on principle, there is hope for this rotten company, and good luck to him.
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as one who worked with John for years, I was saddened to hear of his resignation, but not entirely surprised given that the mood of despair at JP has spread even to many senior staff.
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Why are you anti-Creosote then?
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Anti, don’t kid yourself. There is no hope of improvement at JP. I’d advise anybody who can to leave and find something else to do. And stop picking on Arthur.
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Well said.
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If you are not happy working for JP, then maybe you should go and work for Newsquest and reap all the “benefits” that go with it such as taking an week’s unpaid leave.
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‘An’ good point, Don. Or Woolworths. Or MFI. Perhaps Portsmouth FC?
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Cheers Don. I’ve heard kids in Asia have to sew footballs for a penny a week. Does that mean we can’t have an opinion about JP employer too?
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I’m thinking of becoming Creosote Arthur ‘The Brand’. Come on…who wants an I Hate Creosote Arthur T-shirt?
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I don’t hate you Creosote, I pity you, and I’m ashamed you are connected with this industry. Don Draper – I’d get a sub to check your copy.
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@Anti-Creosote…Chill your boots, baldie. Anyway you’re ‘out of it’, remember?
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In particle physics, anti-creosote is the opposite of the creosote in the observable universe. The combining of the two creates a nuclear explosion as can be demonstrated by the posts above.
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Does anyone know why John Furbisher has left? Seems to have been a surprise in the top echelons of management.
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