Newspaper unions ignore contracts for disaster editions

Norway’s largest newspapers are to break tradition and publish on New Year’s Day, donating profits to help victims of the tidal wave in Asia.

Norwegian newspapers do not publish on holidays such as Christmas Day, Easter and New Year’s Day, in accordance with labour contracts.

However, journalists, graphic designers and printers at Norway’s two largest papers – the Oslo tabloids Verdens Gang and Dagbladet – agreed today to ignore their contracts and produce special New Year’s editions on the tidal waves.

At least 21 Norwegians are dead, and hundreds more are missing.

“There is still a tremendous need for information about the disaster,” said Verdens Gang editor Bernt Olufsen. “I think it’s great that the staff is willing to make this effort.”

“This is an enormous voluntary effort, and an amount equalling our profit will be transferred to the victims,” he said.

He said the newspaper would donate advertising space to aid groups.