Five jobs under threat Newsquest South Wales

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Five editorial jobs are under threat at Newsquest South Wales, publisher of the Newport-based South Wales Argus. The National Union of Journalists has condemned the job cuts and closure of two district offices, in Chepstow and Pontypool. According to the NUJ, the editorial cuts include the loss of one sub, based in the Newport subbing hub, one reporter, one photographer and one editorial assistant. An additional subbing vacancy will not be filled. In January staff at Newsquest titles in Wales were asked to take unpaid leave. At that time staff said they feared there would be redundancies if they refused to take five days' unpaid holiday during the year. In a statement,

Jenny Lennox, NUJ assistant organiser said: “Journalists have had their pay frozen at these titles for more than three years, unless they accepted unpaid holiday, and have now been told that they will be made redundant sooner if they didn’t take unpaid leave. Such employment practices are appalling and have more in common with the workhouse, than a future-thinking media company.”

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary added: "Newsquest cuts jobs in the UK to increase their American shareholder profits. The announcement of job cuts and office closures in Wales is a direct attack on our members and quality journalism. The union continues to fight against the brutal and relentless cost-cutting measures at Newsquest." Staff at Newsquest confirmed the cuts but no senior representative from the company was available to comment this afternoon (Wednesday, 5 October).