View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
November 1, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 9:40pm

Strike at Telegraph Group over job cuts and conditions

By Press Gazette

Telegraph journalists have voted to go on a three -day strike.

The NUJ chapel met today and decided to go ahead with strike action after an official ballot – which concluded last week – found 76 per cent of NUJ members who voted had said yes to possible strike action.

The strike is in protest at 54 compulsory redundancies and at changes to work practices associated with the move to Victoria and the creation of a 24-hour multimedia newsroom.

Staff are understood to be particularly concerned at the imposition of Saturday working for all sub editors and early morning starts for reporters.

Some 276 NUJ members were eligible to vote in the ballot, of which 114 did so and 85 said yes to a possible strike. According to Telegraph Group management the company has 465 full-time journalists.

Today's vote was 89 in favour of strike and 13 against. The strike is start on November 14 and all NUJ members will be obliged to take part.

According to the NUJ chapel, the turnout for the strike vote was affected by the fact that the ballot took place in the midst of the office the move to Victoria.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

A Telegraph management spokesman said after the ballot : “Our move has now been successfully completed, and 465 full time journalists are now working in one of the most modern newsrooms anywhere in the world. There were 54 job losses in this area as a result of the integration of our business. However, those affected left on generous terms – and there was only one appeal against a decision."

In 2005, the Telegraph Group chapel voted in favour of strike action following 90 editorial redundancies – but then it backed down after concessions were made by management.

Telegraph Group NUJ father of chapel John Carey said last week: “Throughout the last ten months, ever since the move to Victoria was announced, the company has completely ignored the proper consultation process laid down both in law and in our house agreement as regards job cuts and changes in working practices – and its is continuing to do so.

“This is a management which has shown complete contempt to its work force – the very people on whom it relies to makes its revolution work.”

The Telegraph's new hub newsroom layout is pictured.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network