Johnston Press update: Nearly 100 jobs understood to be cut
Johnston Press is reportedly cutting nearly 100 editorial jobs in the latest round of cuts as it attempts to reduce costs.
The news follows on from an internal email from group editor-in-chief, Jeremy Clifford, who informed the 3,000-plus members of staff on 8 January that it would be making job cuts across its 220-plus regional newspaper titles.
Of the 100 jobs to be cut 32 will be axed in Scotland, up to 13 in Northern Ireland, 10 in the North East of England and eight in the North West. Around 15 jobs are understood to be at risk at Johnston Press’s newspapers in Edinburgh which include The Scotsman and The Edinburgh Evening News.
The NUJ group chapel, which is holding a meeting on Thursday to discuss the job losses, said the announcement has “caused panic among our members”.
A statement released by the group said: “It is very difficult to see how the company can continue to function after yet more editorial job cuts. The lack of consultation also raises concerns that this could be to make short-term savings which will ultimately be self-defeating.
"Newsrooms around the company are already carrying high levels of staff vacancies and we hope the company is fully aware of this. Meaningful talks need to happen as a matter of urgency and our members should be involved in any decisions about possible restructuring."
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said the announcement was “devastating news to begin 2016 with” and added that there were “big concerns about the content that can realistically be produced under such straightened circumstances.”
Staff have been told that they have until 29 January to apply for voluntary redundancy.