Journalists said to consider strike

Staff expect CEO Tom Glocer to make an internal announcement on how many jobs will be axed before, or most likely on, 19 May, it said.

“Reports from the newsrooms of both (Thomson and Reuters) news wires tell of an increasingly anxious atmosphere as journalists fear they will be forced out of their jobs because management is expected to opt for compulsory rather than voluntary redundancies to cut out overlap,” The Guardian said.

National Union of Journalists officials say managers have so far refused to commit to using voluntary redundancies, it said. “As a result, staff at Thomson have already voted unanimously to hold a strike ballot.

“Last month a separate proposed ballot for industrial action among Reuters staff was suspended by the NUJ pending further negotiations with the management.

“Once they get details on job cuts from Glocer, union members at Reuters and Thomson say they will meet to discuss possible industrial action,” The Guardian said.

It said management will be under pressure to cut as many costs as possible given rising concerns over the outlook for financial markets. ■