Support the 12-day London Newsquest strike

The workers are striking over their pay and conditions and the proposed restructuring and introduction of new processes, which it is feared will lead to job losses, and the inevitable decline in journalistic quality that would come from such restructuring.

Many of the journalists working at the offices in Sutton, live and work within London yet are not paid any London weighting, an uplift in wages meant to offset the cost of living in the capital, the NUJ Chapel is also fighting to apply London weighting for staff at the company, as well as resist the restructuring.

Newsquest owns over 200 Newspapers and Magazines, and is the UK’s largest regional newspaper publisher. It makes annuals profit of nearly £53m. It is important for local accountability and democracy that reporters are allowed to continue their role, shining light onto those with power, in order to old them to account. Reduction in reporters, turning Journalists into churnalists, just repurposing stories from PR companies, and agencies isn’t what proper journalism is about. This is the model which has been adopted by many companies in the industry, and now its happening at one of the countries largest newspaper groups.

Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said, “Our chapels are determined to make the strongest possible case to management that they have had enough of the cuts, low pay and oppose the restructuring. They will be reaching out to their readers, asking them to support their local newspaper and quality journalism, speaking to local and national politicians and will be calling on fellow trade unionists to show their solidarity.”

There are picket lines at the offices in Sutton next to the train station, and the journalists would appreciate your support.

For donations and messages of solidarity please contact:

Send your messages of support to campaigns@nuj.org.uk
Tweet your messages of support to @NUJofficial

See NUJ website for more details: