Union members at five Newsquest publishing centres are to be balloted over strike action as the row over the company’s subbing hub plans escalates.
The National Union of Journalists has notified the regional publisher of plans to ballot 150 of its members in response to continuing pay freezes and plans to transfer staff and work away from local communities.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that six sub-editing roles were to be lost from the group’s Southampton production centre after it was decided to transfer production of Brighton daily The Argus from there to Weymouth.
The union is also fighting ongoing plans to transfer production of its North West titles to its production hub in Newport, South Wales, with the possible loss of up to 29 jobs.
Titles affected by the plan including the Bolton News, Lancashire Telegraph and associated weeklies.
The group’s North East titles, including the Northern Echo, Bradford Telegraph & Argus and York Press, have already transferred production to Newport – despite a one-day strike by NUJ members in February – as have the West Midlands titles including the Worcester News.
The latest ballots will take place next week and will cover five Newsquest chapels in Blackburn, Cheshire, Sussex, Southampton and South London/
As well as the North West titles, other titles covered include The Argus in Brighton, Southampton’s Southern Daily Echo and the South London Guardian series where proposals to close a title and shut an office have angered staff.
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said: “There is a real feeling of enough is enough across Newsquest chapels. Cost cutting is forcing out dedicated and experienced staff with little compensation, to the detriment of readers and local communities.
“In the South there is concern about how the proposals are impacting on part-time workers, largely women, whose working hours don’t appear to fit conveniently into Newsquest’s concept of efficiency.
“For those who stay it means frozen pay, long hours and heavy workloads especially when other vacancies are persistently unfilled.
“There is also concern that in the post restructure world one of the new roles proposed merges both editorial and commercial work, jeopardising journalistic integrity.”
Jane Kennedy, NUJ assistant organiser, added: “We have a great deal of evidence to show that the system is not working and that the pressure being put on remaining staff is unacceptable and unsustainable.
“We call on Henry Faure Walker, chief executive of Newsquest, to halt this process and meet with the NUJ to find a better way forward.
“The current plans are destructive and unnecessary, they waste the skills and talents of our hardworking members and the existing proposals should be reconsidered.”
Commenting on the union’s announcement, Newsquest North West regional managing director Chris Hughes said: “We are disappointed that the NUJ chapels in Blackburn and Cheshire have decided to ballot for industrial action.
“We understand that any changes which may lead to a loss of jobs are regrettable, and where possible we are investigating opportunities for redeployment and alternative roles to mitigate the impact of this, but the system which Newsquest is installing will significantly improve both the products and our ability to produce content in print and online, and are an important part of our strategy to ensure that our local titles and local brands have a sustainable and strong future.”
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Everyone in Newsquest should be out of the door on this issue. But as usual many hiding heads in sand thinking it won’t affect them (it will) and others who have been through Knowledge thinking they are lucky to cling on to poor paying jobs and having to pick up the extra work left in the new system’s wake.
Wake up Questers, you are getting mugged off. Senior managers must laugh themselves silly at what you lot will put up with for no more money.
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Easy to preach revolution and there is probably enough reason for one but there are lot of hard-up people out there desperate to hold on to any job, however shabbily they are treated. Sad, but true and firms like Newsquest and JP take full advantage of an employer’s market. Hard times a long way from over for newspaper staff, unfortunately.
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As Laura Davison said, “enough is enough” and if now is not the time to act, when is?
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Agree with every word Jane Kennedy says. The scenario is being played out across the whole industry and there is nothing to stop things getting worse. Stand by for another swing of the axe nine months or so down the line.
Talented journalists are being turned into neurotic zombies. Do nothing and suffer or stand up while you have still got some self-respect.
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The talk is always of the long hours, so walk in at 7am every day and, by the time of the week you have worked your 40 hours at the desk, walk out. Simple. That’s what they pay you for and, unlike reporters of old, it is easy to quantify the hours of subs stuck at a screen. I remember once suggesting a 40-hour work-to-rule in Newcastle and one old-stager rose to object. He wasn’t going to work 40 hours for anybody…..
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Here we go again. The subbing hubs often lead to lower wage bills and inferior products. Of less concern to Newsquest, but of much importance to staff, is the work they’ll end up doing when the dust settles. It will be long and arduous with little pleasure in it. While working “survivors” will be unable, much of the time, to rid themselves of the feeling that no one cares about the quality of the work they are doing. They’ll be right. This is not a job worth doing. If you’re only doing it for the money, what kind if life is that? Newsquest has no real long-term plan other than doing the same old thing as cheaply as it can. Striking, while honourable, is pointless. In the long run it will achieve nothing. Staff are only prolonging the inevitable. Newsquest is not going to suddenly turn around and say: “You know, you’re all right and we’re wrong. Let’s go back to local subbing teams.” I know it’s scary to walk away. But walk away you should. I do not regret doing so for a second. I am happier and appreciated, if significantly poorer. But I won’t always be poorer. I will do well and my pay will go up. That’s not something that’s going to happen to most current Newsquest subs. I started out in journalism because it was fun, challenging and my contribution was valued highly. That was then. This is now. There is no long-term future for most subs at Newsquest. Not if by future you mean a reasonable salary, sensible hours and fulfilling work. If Newsquest had a plan other than continual cost-cutting and nothing else, no one would be happier than me. But they don’t. If you survive this round of cuts it just becomes less likely you’ll survive them next time. And there will be a next time. By all accounts the economy is doing well. But you can’t sell a product people won’t pay for or which doesn’t benefit advertisers. Newsquest makes a great song and dance about how many people use its websites. But I’d bet that isn’t being monetised anywhere near quickly enough. Hence continued cuts. These aren’t the actions of a successful company, confident and sure of itself. This is a frightened, desperate company, bankrupt of ideas. Strike, if you must. I support you. But you’d be better off spending the time you have left planning your exit strategy. You’ll need it. Good luck. I genuinely wish all of you the best.
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Negotiation is useless with Newsquest. The only reason executives go down that route is because there is a legal requirement and it helps to take the burning anger out of the workforce and promote the impression that something positive will happen. I can tell you from experience that nothing positive will happen. Never.
There is only one way to deal with Newsquest and that is industrial action. Bullies only take notice and back off when they are kicked as hard as they are kicking. If your job’s under threat, just take a look around you at what has happened in all the other Newsquest centres. It’s your decision. If you are a reporter and assume this sub-hub reorganisation does not affect you, then think again because the cost-cutting will never stop and you’re next in the firing line. So good luck.
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oh dear, a catastrophe for myself and husband..We rely on a Particular journalist who seems to cover all stories in her area, whereas the news from another local paper comes out a week later than at the Standard and does not attend everything important here…one journalist, some years ago now said he knew a situation was true as he read it in Standard. I think they may both be gannet publications (USA).
PLEASE, whatever you do, make sure we still get the only publication that is accurate for the readership in this area.
Best wishes to all Chapels and your livelihoods xxx
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I was forced out of Newsquest recently. I considered going back into newspapers but figured it would only be a matter of time before I was facing the chop again.
I gave a lot to the company over the years and got nothing back.
I now work outside the industry in a company that invests in its staff, pays well and values your input. I work less hours with little or no stress and they have annual pay rises (without staff having to threaten to strike).
I loved working in newspapers but am so glad I don’t any more.
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Why are so many kids training as hacks? Naive or what?
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too little, too late
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Writing is on the wall!
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