Talks continue at weekly newspaper

TALKS are continuing between management and staff at a weekly newspaper in Co Cork amid a second phase of rationalisation which is likely to include cuts to employees’ wages.

The Southern Star, based in Skibbereen, outsourced its printing last summer, with the loss of five jobs.

Sources have indicated that management is now looking for a 6% pay cut across the board and is also to make one of its three staff reporters redundant early next year.

The newspaper’s chief operating officer Sean Mahon confirmed it was “regrettable” that a journalist was to be made redundant.

In reply to claims that company cars are to be phased out, Mr Mahon said the situation was being “reviewed” as part of overall cost-cutting measures.

He said the firm hoped to find a temporary way to reduce wage costs and was “still in dialogue” with its staff.

Mr Mahon said the Southern Star wanted to ensure it was better placed to deal with market trends.

The newspaper underwent design changes two months ago including the addition of colour printing.

“Since redesigning and re-launching the paper we had a lot of positive feedback from our readers and advertisers,” Mr Mahon said.

He reassured the public the Southern Star would continue to retain its headquarters in Skibbereen.

Meanwhile, strike action at a number of titles owned by Scottish media group Johnston Press did not go ahead yesterday after talks between the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and management yielded hope of an agreement.

Reporters at the Limerick Leader, the Leinster Express, the Offaly Express and the Clonmel Nationalist were to down tools in a 24-hour work stoppage over plans to use a new production system to get rid of a number of sub-editors.

The NUJ secured assurances over entitlements for staff who lost their jobs in some of the titles and for re-deployment of staff in others.