Publisher looks set to axe journalists in the north

A major UK publisher of regional and local newspapers is set to make at least 20 redundancies in the north.

The National Union of Journalists claims the redundancies will affect journalists in York, Bradford and Darlington, as Newsquest announced plans to move production to Wales.

Newsquest plan to introduce a new subbing system as part of the move, which could see sub-editors’ posts being lost; five in York, seven in Darlington and, 11 in Bradford.

The publisher, based in Weybridge, Surrey, produces titles including The York Press, Northern Echo, Wirral Globe, Warrington Guardian and Westmorland Gazette.

The production of all three centres’ newspapers will be switched to a central subbing hub at Newport from February.

Writing on the union’s website Mark Stead and Tony Kelly, York’s NUJ joint Fathers of the Chapel, said they were ‘totally outraged’ at the development and opposed to any more redundancies.

“For the past six years our members have borne the brunt of a hack and slash policy of sackings, frequent bouts of non-replacement of staff, and crippling pay freezes, which, combined with the high rise in the cost of living, effectively means almost annual pay cuts.

“It seems ridiculous that three local newspapers in York, Bradford and Darlington are again being systematically dismantled, downgraded and ultimately destroyed to make yet more profit for a parent company, which has shown little regard for, or faith in, hundreds of hard-working and ever more flexible staff.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →