The growing battle for control of regional publisher National World is leaving its journalists waiting on a new pay deal, say union representatives.

National World has already agreed the terms of a £65m takeover by Irish-based marketing and publishing business Media Concierge, which was yesterday given the go-ahead by Irish regulators.

But it says it may now consider a higher offer after an approach from a Florida-based company controlled by Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly.

In a Stock Exchange announcement, National World said it had received confirmation that Eldridge Media Holdings was considering an offer, but said no such offer had yet been made.

It said: “The Company has received confirmation that EMH is considering making a proposal to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital the Company but to date no details of any such proposal has been received by the National World Board.

“National World reminds shareholders that the recommended scheme of arrangement relating to the acquisition for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company by [Media Concierge] was approved by National World Shareholders on 13 February 2025.

“However, the Company acknowledges, for the purposes of the Takeover Code, that it is in receipt of an approach from EMH regarding a possible offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company.

“The National World Board will consider the terms of any proposal put forward by EMH that may deliver superior value to National World Shareholders.”

The National Union of Journalists claims the company is refusing to enter into pay talks pending the conclusion of the takeover.

Now it has published on open letter to the company’s management on the day – April 1 – that annual pay rises would normally take effect.

It said: “The company’s latest accounts show it to be a thriving business. But with further complications and potential for even longer delays posed by a second bid for the company, National World management should separate corporate manoeuvres from the pay talks and continue with a “business as usual” approach to the latter.

“In summary, the group chapel asks that any corporate dealings in the coming months be separated from the moral duty to reward hard-working staff who are keeping the business competitive in challenging times for the industry.

“Finalisation of any takeover could be months away. So today we seek an urgent rethink on the current National World stance not to enter into pay talks with the NUJ.

“Any takeover discussions in the coming weeks and months between National World and prospective buyers must include provision for a pay rise for staff this year.

The Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission announced yesterday that it had cleared the proposed acquisition by Media Concierge.

It said: “The Commission has formed the view that the proposed transaction will not substantially lessen competition in any market for goods or services in the State.”

All that now remains to be done from a regulatory point of view is for the Irish government to formally approve the deal, which is expected to happen this week.

The full text of the NUJ’s open letter, addressed to HR and communications director Claire Jackson, is below. National World has been approached for comment.

---

Dear Claire,

This is an open letter from the National World NUJ group chapel to the owners of National World which is currently the subject of two potential takeover bids.

We are now on April 1, the annual date in the calendar when National World should pay its general cost of living salary increase from.

But this year, the company has declined to honour that pay review date in light of possible takeovers. Despite two requests from the group chapel to do so, National World has offered no assurances to staff that there will be a pay award this year – or that any award will be backdated to April 1.

This has left National World staff feeling disheartened and fearful of a future in which many are already struggling financially. Some union members have reported how they are having to resort to taking on secondary jobs to try to make ends meet.

The National World group chapel – made up of chapel representatives from around the company – is asking that owners of this business work with any prospective buyer to ensure staff members at National World are not left without a pay rise this year – and to reassure those staff that the increase will be backdated to April.

The company’s latest accounts show it to be a thriving business. But with further complications and potential for even longer delays posed by a second bid for the company that emerged last week, National World management should separate corporate manoeuvres from the pay talks and continue with a “business as usual” approach to the latter.

The group chapel is also strongly urging that any agreed deal include the Local Democracy Reporters (LDRs) who were excluded from the company-wide pay rise for the first time last year. This was strongly contested by union members across the company and was flagged up for being grossly unfair as it was – in essence – treating our LDR colleagues who are embedded within our editorial teams as second-class employees.

The damage to morale and loyalty to the company from all union members within National World due to that decision should not go unnoticed or be underestimated. We ask formally and publicly therefore that the situation be remedied this year, both for the good of the company itself and for its staff.

In summary, the group chapel asks that any corporate dealings in the coming months be separated from the moral duty to reward hard-working staff who are keeping the business competitive in challenging times for the industry.

Finalisation of any takeover could be months away. So today we seek an urgent rethink on the current National World stance not to enter into pay talks with the NUJ. Any takeover discussions in the coming weeks and months between National World and prospective buyers must include provision for a pay rise for staff this year.

As National World has chosen not to discuss pay nationally with the group chapel, local chapel representatives who make up the group chapel will be in touch with their appropriate managers in the coming days to make the same pleas made here.

And they will be looking forward to meaningful dialogue with management in relation to all the issues above for the benefit both of the company and employees as vital stakeholders in the business.

Yours sincerely,

Nick McGowan-Lowe, NUJ Official for National World Group Chapel
Julia Armstrong, National World NUJ group chapel chair
Henry Widdas, National World NUJ group chapel secretary