Trinity Mirror journalists vote for action over cuts

Journalists at Trinity Mirror Southern face losing their Christmas bonuses if they press on with plans to go on strike.
Staff at the North London and Herts office have voted to strike, or take action short of a strike. Trinity Mirror revealed last month that 47 out of 380 journalists are to be cut from 70-odd weekly titles in its southern division.
The proposed savings will be made by moving to centralised subbing and through shared use of features between titles.
According to journalists on the Enfield Gazette, Enfield Advertiser, Barnet Press and Haringay Advertiser the changes will: “greatly reduce the quality of the papers”.
Out of ten strike ballots sent out to journalists five were returned – all in favour of industrial action.
NUJ father of chapel Jonathan Lovett said staff had yet to decide what action they would take.
Staff have been told they will lose an annual bonus of £400, payable in March, if they are “not in receipt of contractual pay” at any time during the year. Strike action is understood to be included in this definition.
Lovett said: “The fact that people are still contemplating industrial action shows the strength of feeling – for the lower-paid members of staff particularly it is quite crucial.”
A Trinity Mirror Southern spokesman said editorial managers had: “met with the editorial team at North London & Herts to discuss their concerns, and will remain in regular contact as the changes are made. We are confident of finding a positive way forward for the papers and their staff.”