Reporters at top provincial newspapers to strike
The National Union of Journalists yesterday served notice on the Johnston press group that 49 journalists working in the Limerick Leader, the Leinster Express, the Offaly Express and the Clonmel Nationalist are to down tools in a 24-hour work stoppage. The protest is over about 12 job losses arising from the introduction of a new printing system, ATEX.
With that system, reporters can write their articles straight onto the page rather than having to have it placed by sub-editors. The union says that as well as leading to job losses, ATEX will undermine the editorial quality in the newspapers.
It also says the journalists believe that the system will increase the workload on those left behind.
Furthermore, the NUJ says many of those targeted for redundancy have long service with their respective newspapers, acquired by the British-based company during their expansion into the Irish market.
“This strike is about protecting employment, but it is also about defending journalistic standards,” said Nicola Coleman, NUJ Irish organiser. “The experience of this union in Britain is that the new system and reduced staffing levels have led to chaos – the results have been disastrous publications. Papers have been sent to print with pictures missing, wrong headlines and serious subbing errors. In one case the barcode was not printed so shops could not sell that edition.”
She added some titles in Britain had to re-employ some casual staff following the cuts when newsrooms could not cope with the workload. “NUJ members in Ireland are determined to protect journalists and newspapers here from a similar fate,” she said.
The NUJ has asked the company to remove all threats to jobs until after the ATEX system is introduced when staffing levels can be assessed properly. It said that so far, the company has refused and talks are to take place in Naas next Friday.
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