South Yorkshire Newspapers journalists to strike on Friday
Journalists at South Yorkshire Newspapers, which is part of Johnston Press, will begin an indefinite strike on Friday over proposed job cuts.
The NUJ claims the threatened cuts would cause particular damage to the weekly South Yorkshire Times title at its office in Mexborough.
NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “At a time when the quality of journalism is in the public spotlight, it must be noted that our members at South Yorkshire Newspapers are taking action to defend the quality of the news service they bring to their local communities.
"This is a battle about an important public resource – the information that people need concerning events in their local communities – and in fighting for their livelihoods our members are defending the future of their industry. Journalists in Yorkshire are leading the fight for quality journalism and local news."
NUJ northern and midlands regional organiser Chris Morley added: "“Our members at South Yorkshire Newspapers are saying in the strongest possible way that they are willing to defend not only colleagues at risk – but also the crucial ingredient of good journalism which has been placed in jeopardy by the narrow financial considerations of the company.
“The chapel has got to the point where there can be no compromise with a miserable strategy of cheese-paring decline that members believe will finish off their titles in a slow death. Our members believe good quality journalism has a future and is, in fact, the future. It can be the only way for the company to build a successful and sound business amid the current crisis of journalism and the media.”
“The company plans to halve the team producing the best performing weekly paper in the region – the South Yorkshire Times. This is a paper that has maintained its circulation, influence and readership which shows that if you offer people top quality local journalism in print, they will still pay for it.
“The NUJ is completely committed to fighting these proposals and saving our members jobs. We hope the company now wakes up and withdraws the cuts proposals.”