Newsquest NUJ strike in North East

Striking NUJ members took to the picket lines on Tuesday 18th February at three Newsquest titles in the North East. Up to 25 jobs will be lost at the Northern Echo, The Press and the Bradford Telegraph & Argus if plans to move subbing jobs to Wales go ahead.

Staff from all departments of the T & A were at the picket line in Bradford, all aware that a reduction in numbers won’t be followed by a loss in workload, meaning less people doing more work. There was also frustration at the idea of moving an entire department 250 miles, to Newport, yet continuing to advertise themselves as a ‘local’ paper. Many were equally wary of the practicalities of working with such a chunk of the newspaper being made away from the main building, and being done by staff who will be given multiple papers to sub within any one shift.

With other Newsquest titles facing a similar fate, as the company create a ‘super hub’ for subbing in Newport, this is unlikely to be the last action they face if they push ahead with their plans.

Ian Slattery