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Up to six journalists set for axe at Midlands weeklies, says union

nujlogoUp to six journalists could be axed as part of changes by a regional publisher, the National Union of Journalists has claimed.

The union says Newsquest plans to cut three out of 11 reporters working on six weekly titles in the West Midlands – the Stourbridge News, Halesowen News, Dudley News, Kidderminster Shuttle, Bromsgrove Advertiser and Redditch Advertiser.

According to the NUJ, three trainees are among the 11 at risk, while the company also plans to cut one of two part-time content managers working at the Stourbridge offices where the newspapers are produced.

The union has further claimed that, in a separate move, Newsquest wants to cut two content manager jobs at Worcester where the daily the Worcester News and a series of weeklies are produced.

Last September, one journalist in Stourbridge took voluntary redundancy in a round of cuts made by Newsquest in the West Midlands.

Gurdip Thandi, Newsquest Stourbridge NUJ FoC, said: “This is a real body-blow to members and they have been left shell-shocked. It is especially disappointing that this is happening so soon after the last redundancy round.

“We want the opportunity to seek alternatives to minimise the number of jobs that might be lost and explore other ways that savings can be achieved. People are very worried about their future.”

Consultation on the latest proposals is due to start on Monday and the chapel is meeting this to discuss the plans.

A Newsquest spokesman said: “Due to the ongoing changes in our industry we continue to review our structures. Unfortunately, this proposal has placed several roles on our Midlands South titles at risk of redundancy which is regrettable.”

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  • April 7, 2017 at 10:33 am
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    More journalists facing the axe , the demise of a once mighty industry continues with ” …ongoing changes in our industry ” being given as this weeks reason.

    As for the ‘consultation’ process , has anyone ever come out of one with their job in tact or a better alternative? No I thought not, it’s just a box that has to be ticked and a job on a process list to be completed to ensure the company is being seen to have followed the correct procedure, once they start the process the decision has already been made.
    Let’s hope in this case I’m wrong, the NUJ get a result and the good people facing the axe get a reprieve, though given the current sorry state of the industry they’re better off out of it
    Good luck to all involved in this latest round of cuts

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  • April 7, 2017 at 9:13 pm
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    The modetator on here has deleted my post even though I went out of my way to not say anything targetted or libelous. Beginning to see that this site paus homage to newspaper bosses. This will never see the light of day. It all started with register to comment!

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