Write a commentTHE National Union of Journalists has served strike notice at the Newry Democrat arising from enforced redundancies at the newspaper, which is owned by the Alpha Newspaper Group. The group is headed by Lord Kilclooney, the former Deputy Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party.
Journalists will begin strike action on Monday, March 21st with a one day work stoppage. The NUJ may decide on further stoppages if the company persists in its refusal to engage in negotiations. Assistant Organiser Ian McGuinness says the NUJ wants Alpha Newspaper Group to reinstate staff or provide enhanced redundancy payments. Mr McGuinness said: “The union continues to oppose Alpha’s decision to make all four editorial production posts redundant. These staff gave many years loyal service. Their work was of a very high standard and they were crucial for the publication of a quality local newspaper.
The very least that Alpha can do is to increase their miserly statutory redundancy payments. Lord Kilclooney, who recently appeared on Ireland’s Rich List, can afford to make payments beyond the statutory minimum.”
Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley called on the company to attend negotiations under the auspices of the Labour Relations Agency. He said: “The NUJ is willing to negotiate with the company at any stage and it is disappointing that Lord Kilclooney and his executives have been unwilling to engage in negotiations facilitated by a State agency. Strike action is avoidable but management appear determined to force workers on to the picket line rather than engaging in meaningful negotiations. “
Alpha took ownership of the Newry Democrat last November, just a few months after it closed three newspapers in the Republic of Ireland (Roscommon Champion, Longford News and Athlone Voice).
Despite meetings between the company and the NUJ, the company proceeded with the enforced redundancies and moved the work elsewhere in the Alpha group. The four production staff were subsequently made redundant and only given statutory redundancy payments.
NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear paid tribute to the solidarity shown by the Democrat’s journalists to their colleagues who were made redundant.
“They have supported their colleagues at every step of this difficult process and are now ready to stand up and demand fair treatment for them. Let us hope Lord Kilclooney and Alpha listen.”
