Johnston Press is planning to cut eight editorial posts on six “commercially poorly performing weekly titles” in the North West.
The news has been revealed by the NUJ, which said staffing levels on the titles were already at “critically low levels”. The titles in question have not been revealed to staff by management for commercial reasons, “leaving many workers in the dark”, the NUJ added.
Johnston Press is proposing “40-page templates” for the “poorly-performing weekly titles” to free up time for remaining staff “to carry out more digital work”.
“Talks are due to be take place between North West NUJ chapels and management over the proposed cuts, the consultation deadline and the terms of voluntary redundancy,” a statement from the NUJ’s Johnston Press Preston and Blackpool chapels read.
“Chapel members said staffing levels are already at critically low levels. A health and safety stress survey of employees is being carried out by the union to get a clearer picture of staffing levels and workloads at Johnston Press.
“Hopes remain that the impact of the proposed cuts can be mitigated by constructive talks between the NUJ chapels and management.”
In August, chief executive Ashley Highfield (above), said management was making “necessary and at times painful” changes to transform the business.
