NUJ publishing head accuses Newsquest of stonewalling as Southampton strikes begin

NUJ members from the Daily Echo protest outside a PCC open day in Southampton today. Photo: Dan Kerins

Journalists will not accept 'stonewalling' by Newsquest management on pay freezes and pension plans, the NUJ's head of publishing said today as union members in Southampton went on strike.

Members of the National Union of Journalists at the Southampton chapel started the first of two 48-hour strikes today, with a picket line held outside the Daily Echo offices. The action took place in response to a continuing pay freeze and plans to close the pension scheme to future accrual.

A protest was also held outside Southampton City Art Gallery where the Press Complaints Commission was holding an open event.

The NUJ's head of publishing, Barry Fitzpatrick, who attended the picket line today, told Journalism.co.uk that striking staff were shown sympathy at both sites.

"The company was trying to accuse us of being aggressive with our picket, which we were never going to do," he said.

"It was very productive. There was generally a lot of sympathy and shock at the way the company is treating its employees, and in particular its journalists.

"People are not being allowed to get any professional, financial advice on what options and choices to make. It's appalling. For a company that's meant to be about the media and communications it's outrageous.

"There is a great deal of anger across the whole group. It is difficult to describe the extent to which people feel let down, taken advantage of, and frankly abused. It's a joke, but it's serious.

"It's going to take a while but the motivation is there - we want them to understand we will not just accept that they can freeze our pay and then stonewall us."

Another 48 hour strike is due to take place on 16 November. Newsquest has not responded to requests for comment.

One Newsquest staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, told Journalism.co.uk that they felt there was "no future" in the job.

"I am in full support of the strike action being taken in Southampton," they said. "For too long Newsquest staff have had to endure staff cuts going on all around them and no hint of a pay rise for two-and-a-half years. On top of that we've had unpaid 'furlough' days which, although supposedly voluntary, were delivered in a manner which implied you had to take the five days or suffer the consequences.

"Then there is the increasing centralisation, lack of communication and an expectation to do more and more work for no extra reward. Staff at Newsquest titles are suffering rocketing stress levels, financial difficulties and next to nothing in the way of meaningful career progression. It's hopeless.

"There's just no future in this job any more. We're all working harder for longer because we can't afford to lose our jobs, yet the Newsquest bosses are rolling in cash and laughing at us while we bring the money in for them. All the while we're expected to work in leaking buildings with insufficient heating systems, furnishings from the 60s and filth. If the NUJ were to call a national ballot for industrial action then I'd vote for strike action immediately. This can't go on. We're supposed to work to live but I'm finding myself away from my family for longer and longer, and it shouldn't be like that."

In October the NUJ chapel at the Brighton Argus voted to ballot on industrial action, following plans by Newsquest to move its sub-editing operation to Southampton.

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