Journalists are urging shareholders and non-executive directors of Reach plc to “consider the position” of the company’s management team in the wake of its announcement of 450 job cuts.

The news publisher is to axe 320 journalist jobs in what the National Union of Journalists is calling “the single worst reduction of journalist roles in the UK publishing industry for decades.”

Now the NUJ group chapel at Reach has issued a strongly-worded statement calling into question the future of the company’s management team, led by chief executive Jim Mullen.

The statement – issued ahead of a general meeting of shareholders tomorrow – expressed no confidence in Mr Mullen and the company’s senior leaders, saying their digital strategy had evidently failed.

It read: “Reach plc’s announcement that it is seeking to cut 450 jobs – 320 of them in editorial – is the single worst reduction of journalist roles in the UK publication industry for decades.

“Reach NUJ group chapel is dismayed that it is the third set of mass redundancies undertaken by the company in 2023 and believes that the cull of jobs is not consistent with the company’s stated aim of commitment to quality journalism.

“With constant job insecurity feeding uncertainty for Reach journalists and their families, the evident failure of the company’s digital strategy is taking a huge toll on employees’ mental health – particularly given the hectic end of year period and the forthcoming Christmas festivities.

“NUJ reps are reporting a high degree of anger among members for the actions being undertaken by company chiefs and NUJ chapels therefore reserve the right to ballot for industrial action. All options are open.

“While publishing market conditions are difficult, the collapse of Reach’s digital income in 2023 – now expected by analysts to be £21m less than last year – is a disaster that no one in senior management is taking responsibility for.

“We note that Reach shareholders tomorrow will gather for a general meeting to decide on a motion that will help provide them with annual dividends in the coming years, irrespective of trading difficulties. No such reassurances are given to Reach staff – many of whom face a bleak winter out of work.

“Reach NUJ group chapel condemns the stewardship of the business and has no confidence in the leadership of Jim Mullen or the company’s senior leaders.

“We strongly urge non-executive board members and shareholders to take note of this judgment and consider their position on the existing executive team in light of it.

A Reach spokesperson said in response: “Discussions are ongoing with our unions and we are fully committed to working with them through this collective consultation process.”

Reach has so far given few details about where the cutbacks will fall, beyond confirming some of its smaller websites will close and its Bristol office will be replaced by a “editorial meeting space.”