Monday, March 23, 2009

Journalists continue action

NUJ York has taken further industrial action, after Newsquest sought to impose compulsory redundancies at The Press.
The chapel held a mandatory meeting on Friday, after two long-serving journalists were told they were losing their jobs. Journalists walked out at noon and did not return to work that day.
Joint fathers of chapel Tony Kelly and Gavin Aitchison said: "We have warned Newsquest repeatedly that we will not tolerate compulsory redundancies. The union has identified and proposed alternative savings, worth tens of thousands of pounds, which negated the need for compulsory job losses.
"These proposals have not been implemented. Despite a conciliatory approach, and our best efforts, two of York's most loyal and devoted journalists have now been told they will lose their jobs, in order to satisfy the excessive demands of Newsquest's American owners and shareholders. It is utterly unacceptable."
Further meetings have been planned for the next four days, including an all-day walk-out on Thursday.