Of the fifteen editorial posts at the publishers of The Sunday Post newspaper that have been earmarked for redundancy – as reported yesterday evening on allmediascotland – it is believed that at least one person might be redeployed to a new post being created in Edinburgh.
As more details emerge from the announcement by DC Thomson – who yesterday told staff that ten from 19 posts in Glasgow have been identified for redundancy, with a further four in Dundee and one from four in London – the company is understood to have said, in a memo: “We will seek to minimise redundancy by managing vacancies, staff turnover, and through redeployment wherever possible.”
In addition, DC Thomson branch offices in Fife are expected to be reduced to one, and likewise, in Angus – but with no job losses involved. The company also publishes The Courier, the Evening Telegraph and the Weekly News.
Yesterday, Paul Holleran, the Scottish Organiser at the National Union of Journalists, told allmediascotland: “It's quite a shock, in line with concerns that Glasgow's days are numbered. They have already announced plans to close the print works there. And now it's over half the editorial posts. We will be offering advice to members who are affected and there will be a series of meetings in Glasgow and Dundee over the next week with those who are affected.”
In a statement issued today, the company said: “DC Thomson has announced organisational changes within the business this week, including the closure of two of its titles. I’m Pregnant and Goodie Bag Mag will no longer be published. It is anticipated that staff members working on these magazines will be redeployed in other roles within the company’s Consumer Entertainment Business Unit.
“Additionally, in a message to all staff, chairman Andrew Thomson advised that the firm is proposing to reduce its newspaper editorial team by 15 roles, including ten jobs in Glasgow, four in Dundee and one in London. This is to achieve a more sustainable balance between production and content. The chairman also confirmed that one new role is being created in Edinburgh which the company hopes will be filled by redeploying an affected member of staff.”
The statement quotes Linda Holden, Head of Group HR, saying: “We appreciate that these are difficult circumstances but we have assured all staff that we will seek to minimise redundancy by managing vacancies, staff turnover, and through redeployment wherever possible. Those at risk will be given priority when applying for internal vacancies.”
