Following successful events in London and Glasgow earlier this year, tomorrow’s event will be in Stockport, chosen because the Guardian Media Group has abandoned the area by closing offices.

An industrial action ballot is underway at Signal Radio in Stoke after the three news staff were told their jobs were being cut.

And members at Trinity Mirror titles in the midlands are considering the next steps after management announced it plans to close nine titles and axe 17 journalists’ jobs.

This followed shameful accusations by management that the union was “scaremongering” after it revealed the proposals were outlined in a leaked internal document.

After a week of refusing to come clean, TM then announced even more severe cuts than the NUJ had predicted.

The benefit gig, organised by comedian and NUJ member Julia Brosnan who is also performing, is on Sunday 5 July at 7.30pm in the Baker’s Vault, Market Place, Stockport SK1 1EU. Admission is £5 waged/£3 unwaged.

Stockport has been chosen as the venue because MEN Media has removed all the journalists from the local office where the Stockport Express, South Manchester Reporter and Trafford Metro News staff were based.

Across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire more than 36 editorial jobs on weekly papers have gone this year, and by October all of the local offices will be closed.

Remaining journalists will be based in central Manchester, much depleted and far removed from the patches they are supposed to be covering.

The full line-up is to be confirmed but BBC Radio Manchester presenter Chris Holliday will compere, and NUJ member Julia Brosnan from Mish Mash cabaret will perform. DJ Barter will be on the decks playing punk and ska beats.

Stand up for journalism at The Baker’s Vault, Market Place, Stockport, on Sunday 5 July. Doors open 8pm, tickets £5.

Collective action which manifested itself in a massive vote for a strike at the Johnston-owned Burnley Express, Clitheroe Advertiser and Nelson Leader has forced the company to back down.

While this is a fantastic achievement by our members at these titles, the campaign against Johnston’s plans for the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post continues and members in other areas continue to struggle against savage cuts.

• Download a collection sheet for the YP/YEP fighting fund from the Media Workers Against the War website (opens as PDF)
• Encourage friends and colleagues to attend our Stand up for journalism comedy benefit gig on 15 April 
• Invite a speaker from the YP/YEP, York, Glasgow or other disputes to branch and union meetings
• Organise a public meeting about the cuts and how they threaten quality journalism and its role in our democracy in your area.

More about the situation in Scotland will follow.

• Tickets for our comedy benefit gig in London on Wednesday 15 April are now available to sell to friends and colleagues. Ticket sales are a good opportunity to get round workplaces and raise the issue of the cuts and the fightback. Email standupforjournalism@me.com

Kate describes herself as an “obsessive blogger” and writes her own blog and also posts at the f word.

Manchester-based NUJ member Julia Brosnan, a former journalist turned comedian, will also be on the bill.

Julia regularly appears on BBC Radio Manchester and hosts her own comedy night in the city.

As previously reported, poet and musician Attila the Stockbroker will present his line in anti-capitalist rants. The full line-up will be announced soon.

The gig will be on Wednesday 15 April at Bar B Lo, 76 Marchmont Street, London. Doors open 7.30pm. Nearest tube Russell Square.

Tickets will be available soon at £5 waged/£3 unwaged, or pay on the door. Collections on the night.

There will also be NUJ speakers and DJ Barter playing ska, new wave and punk beats.

If you want tickets to sell at work or flyers to help raise the issue of the cuts with colleagues, email richsimcox@mac.com

NUJ Left members outside London are urged to hold similar events.

It will be at Bar B Lo, 76 Marchmont Street, London, on Wednesday 15 April. Doors open 7.30pm. Nearest tube Russell Square.

Tickets will be available soon at £5 waged/£3 unwaged, or pay on the door. Collections on the night.

The full line-up will be announced shortly, but Attila the Stockbroker will present his line in anti-capitalist rants.

There will also be NUJ speakers and DJ Barter playing ska, new wave and punk beats.

If you want tickets to sell at work or flyers to help raise the issue of the cuts with other members and non-members, email me at richsimcox@mac.com

NUJ Left members outside London are urged to hold similar events.