Journalists at Newsquest in South London are on strike today and tomorrow (June 15 and 16) in a dispute over redundancies and in support of quality local journalism. NUJ members have already been working to rule, and the strike follows a massive vote for action.
How NUJ members and supporters can help:
- Email messages of support to the strikers
- Join the Facebook group 'Strike - Newsquest South London' http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_150941081644544
- Follow the strike on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ylgstrike
- Donate to the strike fund here
The NUJ strikers had previously adopted a unanimous vote of no confidence in their top management after a company decision to make an unspecified number of editorial staff redundant while the group's titles continue to make substantial profits.
NUJ general secretary-elect Michelle Stanistreet said: "Newsquest journalists are fighting for their communities and their jobs. It is time that Newsquest got the message that readers need their newspapers and the NUJ defends members and the quality journalism they provide."
NUJ head of publishing Barry Fitzpatrick said: "Our members' overwhelming decision to take strike action in defence of jobs and quality was the inevitable result of a wrong-headed management policy. But it is not too late for the company to show some sense and sit down with us to discuss the future security of the papers which are so important to our members and their communities."
Newsquest London has announced job cuts at the Croydon Guardian, Elmbridge Guardian, Epsom Guardian, Kingston Guardian, Streatham Guardian, Surrey Comet, Sutton Guardian, Wandsworth Guardian, Wimbledon Guardian and Richmond & Twickenham Times.
In 2009 Newsquest recorded an operating profit of £71.7m.
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