The News International Staff Association has described the ongoing cull of senior staff at The Times as a “terrible episode”.
So far some 21 staff are understood to have “agreed to leave” in a process lasting for more than two weeks. Casualties have included veteran foreign correspondent Christopher Walker who had been at The Times for more than 30 years.
Leader writer Vanora Bennett and media editor Ray Snoddy are both understood to have gone freelance.
The Times NISA rep David Altheer said: “This has been a terrible episode for the journalists of this newspaper, and for their relationship with management.
News International has long made a practice of respecting employment regulations, so it is all the more surprising that The Times has applied a technique of enforced departure.”
The Times is not the only News International title tightening its belt.
The Sun’s office in Manchester is to close on 23 July with the loss of up to 10 jobs.
In a memo to staff Sun editor Rebekha Wade said: “These changes will provide a more efficient way of managing our resources and as such will strengthen our news operation.”
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