NUJ accuses Newsquest of 'railroading' through pension cuts

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The NUJ has written to Newsquest's chief executive to request that a consultation period for the potential closure of its pension scheme be extended.

In a letter to Paul Davidson, NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear says the news organisation's implementation of the legal minimum of 60 days is likely to be "inadequate".

"As you can appreciate, there will be the need for individuals to absorb the information provided to them and then to seek expert advice about how the proposals will affect them in years to come," Dear says in the letter.

According to the union, letters were sent to staff in the scheme, which was already closed to new members, informing them that a 60-day consultation period would begin on 16 August to assess plans to close the scheme to future accrual.

The union also says that the company increased members' contributions to the scheme in 2007, leading them to believe this would "protect the scheme for the future".

Chris Morley, Northern and Midlands organiser for the NUJ said the letters have left members "shellshocked".

"There is a complete lack of detailed information that our members need to make informed decisions on," he told Journalism.co.uk.

"We are going to be seeking advice both financial and legal. At this stage there is huge concern over the manner in which Newsquest have proposed to consult. It seems ridiculous that the company wants to allow the minimum amount of consultation time when we are in the prime holiday season and a lot of people may be away when they received these letters.

"We think that's its a no-brainer that they must extend the consultation period so the company is seen to be consulting meaningfully and for it not to be a sham. They seem to be railroading through a major cut."

Morely added that with the closure planned for March 2011 it is unclear as to why the minimum consultation period has been chosen.

The union would also like to hear from the company trustees, who he says have a "responsibility" to all of the members of the scheme.

"Their permission would have been needed before Newsquest would have been able to make this announcement," he said. "But so far they have been completely silent".

The NUJ says there are thought to be around 2000 active union members – those still paying into the scheme and working at Newsquest – who would be most affected by its closure.

Bob Smith, father of the NUJ's Newsquest group chapel said in a release that the plans were a "huge blow" to staff who have already experienced pay freezes and job cuts in recent years.

"Journalists' pay has been frozen for two years after the company tore up pay agreements without consultation," he said. "Now, NUJ members face losing thousands of pounds in retirement as their pensions are effectively frozen too.

"Sadly, the company's commitment to its staff has not matched that of its workers to Newsquest and journalism. It continues to earn handsome profits for its shareholders while treating its main assets - its employees - with disdain."

Journalism.co.uk has tried to contact Paul Davidson for comment over the last two weeks but is repeatedly told he is away and unavailable to speak to us.