Journalists at Reach titles are set to be balloted on industrial action in a dispute over job losses, AI and workload.
The National Union of Journalists said it had started the process after the publisher revealed that it would be axing 321 posts and creating 135 in a “radical” editorial restructure.
READ MORE – Reach plc reveals details of promised “radical” editorial restructure
The union will be contacting members at The Mirror and Reach’s Scottish titles over the move – as it believes they will be particularly affected by the cuts.
At the moment, the proposed ballot doesn’t extend to Reach’s English publications, nor the Express, Daily Star or OK.
According to the NUJ, The Mirror could lose around 40 writers and editors, while in Scotland 40% of journalists have been placed at risk of redundancy.
The Union added that staff were also “hugely concerned” by the workload burden placed on remaining staff, as well as the “lack of clear commitments on the company’s use of artificial intelligence.”
READ MORE – Reach plc to axe 321 jobs and create 135 in ‘biggest reorganisation ever’
“These proposals, if carried out in full, will mean the dismissal of experienced and highly professional journalists. But it will also place considerable burdens on those who remain and newsrooms will be made weaker and less able to produce quality journalism,” said Laura Davison, NUJ General Secretary.
“While the company insists that AI is not behind the cuts, this assertion is clearly not accepted by our members and is not borne out by the evidence. The union believes that left unchecked, these savage cuts will not stop here to the detriment of what we all understand as journalism.
“Senior managers talk of doing away with ‘duplication’ in the reporting and production process, but this is the essence behind the individual brands that have proudly served the reading public for generations. The hollowing out of newsroom staffing in favour of AI chatter overseen by shrinkingly small staffing is the road to nowhere.
“We are therefore asking members to vote in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike.”
Last month, Chief Content Officer David Higgerson told Prolific North that the restructure promised new jobs, but a smaller overall editorial team. He added that there would be more video content, a new Live New Network and “greater brand focus.”
A Reach spokesperson added:
“Seismic changes in the industry demand decisive responses and a different way of working. These changes also provide opportunities for us as we match our resources to our ambitions, significantly increasing our video output and setting up our Live News Network. This is why we have created 135 new roles to serve those opportunities.
“We will continue to engage closely with our unions as we work through the collective consultation process.”
