Johnston Press announced the cutting of 18 sub editors posts (out of 38) in the North West today. Newspapers targeted include the Blackpool Gazette and Lancashire Evening News, both of which will be losing nearly half their sub-editors.

In a move described by the NUJ as a “jobs massacre”, Johnston Press is moving its remaining subs to a new regional production hub in Preston. This mirrors what is happening in Sheffield with the creation of a production hub and loss of subs jobs on surrounding areas such as Scarborough (see articles below).

There are plans for similar moves in Sunderland and on the Yorkshire Post/Evening Post.

Technology used to cut costs

The regional hubs are being introduced as a result of the new Atex content management system, which allows journalists to write directly to page without the need of subs. This has been tried before in the industry with a loss of quality, jobs and remaining staff becoming even more overworked.

It is also a threat to local democracy and accountability. Local papers will be produced some distance from the areas they are supposedly serving. The North West has been particularly hit already by the loss of local papers with the Scott Trust’s  sale of Manchester Evening News and other local titles to Trinity Mirror, which closed 44 tiles and axed 1,400 jobs in the past couple of years.

Bankers demand cuts

Staff have already walked out this year and are currently working to rule. There is a national ballot next week in the Johnston Press titles for strike action against the introduction of Atex.

The changes are made not to improve quality but to satisfy the bankers who are demanding Johnston Press pay off some of its debts. New technology is being used to cut staff, costs and quality.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “Editorial resources have been cut to the bone to pay for the Johnston debt mountain created a through a foolish policy of buying up other titles at high cost. Now their bankers are telling them to start making repayments. Our members refuse to be the victims of that mismanagement car crash.”

NUj Northern Organiser Lawrence Shaw told staff at the Johnson Press:  “Johnston Press bosses have now as much as admitted that they are not in control of their company any more – it is being run by the banks that have refinanced their escalating debts. These are debts that have been incurred due to the gross incompetence of the company bosses who failed to invest during times of heavy profit and instead squandered money on pointless projects and vast bonuses to shareholders and fat cat bosses.”

Vote Yes in national ballot

He added: “The only way for us to have any impact against Johnston Press is by means of a national ballot with the results coinciding with the Annual Shareholders Meeting in Edinburgh at which the NUJ will be organising a wide protest.”

The NUJ Left supports Johnson Press staff in their dispute with the bosses and bankers and calls on members to deliver a big Yes vote for strike action.  We believe a national strike in regional papers would be well supported and could act as a catalyst for other journalists to fight back against the bosses and bankers who are intent on destroying jobs and quality in the pursuit of greater profits.

We also call on members to start organising solidarity meetings with Johnston Press staff, speaking tours and collections at work.

Together we can win.

Posted by Keith Sellick

Tags: Johnston Press, Scott Trust, Trinity Mirror