NUJ condemns threat of job cuts at Express and Star

The NUJ has condemned possible compulsory job cuts at England's largest circulation regional newspaper, the Wolverhampton Express and Star.

Publisher Midlands News Association announced in April that it was seeking 95 voluntary redundancies – 10 per cent of the workforce – from both the Express and Star and sister title the Shropshire Star.

But only 41 members of staff have come forward, 26 at the Express and Star – where 60 were needed – and 15 at the Shropshire Star – where 30 were needed, leaving 54 places unfilled.

According to an email sent to employees yesterday, MNA will now go ahead with compulsory redundancies. The company could not confirm today whether it intends to make the same number of redundancies outlined in April, or the percentage of redundancies that will affect journalists.

The National Union of Journalists condemned the threat of compulsory redundancies in a statement this afternoon.

Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser, said: "This is a very anxious time for our members who have been faced with the spectre of forced job losses for some time."

"It is still unclear where management are aiming their axe but getting rid of hard working dedicated staff will damage the overall quality of the journalism. These newspapers have high circulation mainly on the back of much original journalism that is rooted in the community. Reducing the numbers of journalists will surely weaken this.

"It has been an obvious trend in recent years that those newspapers that have cut deepest have paid for it in faster declining circulations. The situation is too serious for newspapers to risk this if they want a long-term future.

"The NUJ will be doing all that it can to shield its members from the cuts and limit the damage."

An email sent to staff at the Express and Star yesterday stated that editor Adrian Faber would decide who would face redundancy, with those selected due to be told within the next two weeks.

"Compulsory redundancies are now being worked out by heads of department. In our case that’s the editor.

"Where there are multiple people doing the same job, like reporters, subs or newsdesk, a matrix is being used to decide who should be asked to leave.

"That matrix ranks the candidates on their skills, performance, initiative, attendance, ability to work with others and their approach to change.

"No-one will be informed until that has been fully considered. The person or people chosen will be informed personally."

MNA managing director Alan Harris said in a statement this afternoon: "Further to our announcement in April, senior managers in all departments have had discussions with a number of members of staff. 

"It is our intention to keep compulsory redundancies to the minimum possible and ensure that the fullest consultation is entered into with anyone who may be affected.  It would be inappropriate to comment further until this process is completed."

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