Friday 15 May 2009

NUJ claims Newsquest 'back down' in Bolton

Newsquest in Bolton has stopped imposing compulsory redundancies after NUJ members refused to take part in the selection process, the union claimed today.
The company, which plans to centralise sub-editing for its Lancashire titles in Blackburn, have now asked for volunteers for redundancy after originally announcing that they planned to axe journalists on the basis of a skills matrix, according to the NUJ.
David Thomson, NUJ FoC, at Newsquest Bury and Bolton, wrote to management: “The chapel unanimously agreed that unless the company changes its mind and introduces a voluntary aspect to this redundancy proposal, we will seek a ballot for industrial action.”
He added: “Members also overwhelmingly decided not to co-operate with next week’s scheduled skills analysis assessments. No sub-editor will attend any such meeting. We will not under any circumstances take part in an exercise, which contributes towards a person losing his or her job.” The company, the NUJ said, responded by agreeing to ask for volunteers.

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