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Journalists withdraw strike threat after dispute resolved

Journalists who threatened strike action over plans by regional publisher Johnston Press to cut jobs in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire say they have resolved their dispute.

Members of the National Union of Journalists in Sheffield were balloted for industrial action over proposals to cut two chief photographer roles and the equivalent of six full-time production roles which they feared would lead to compulsory redundancies.

NUJ members at the Sheffield Star and sister title the Telegraph voted in favour of striking, but have now decided against taking action because no union members would be made redundant.

Lawrence Shaw, NUJ Northern and Midlands assistant organiser, said alternative jobs within the company had been found for the affected staff.

He said: “Through negotiation we have managed to resolve the situation so that no NUJ member is being made redundant.

“Prior to the ballot ending, we managed to get what we wanted out of the situation. We effectively suspended it. There’s no dispute over that matter now. Jobs have been found so we managed to get what we wanted through pressure on the company.

“It was a good showing and people were willing to see it through but in the end there’s no need to do. If we hadn’t have had the ballot, it is likely the jobs would have gone. You have to apply pressure on the company to secure things and that is what we have done.”

The job cuts affected the two Sheffield papers, the Doncaster Free Press and the Derbyshire Times.

Johnston Press has not responded to requests for a comment.

2 comments

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  • July 30, 2012 at 11:31 am
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    Good to hear this. Can we be updated on what sort of roles the production staff and photographers were offered?

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  • July 30, 2012 at 1:52 pm
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    There may be an element of union luck about this as JP haven’t agreed to no compulsory redundancies.
    Even so, the message is clear. Worried about your job? Join the union and the union may be able to help!

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