MEN management brought to the table
17 February 2006
The hard line pursued relentlessly by the management at the Manchester Evening News softened a little just hours after they received the latest chapel resolution.
A packed NUJ meeting had wholeheartedly condemned CEO Mark Dodson and his team for their intransigence, refusal to disclose any information and bullying tactics at their last meeting with the chapel committee.
As if to rub salt in the wounds, Liz Forgan, chair of the Scott Trust, had sent a supportive message to MoC Rachel Broady and Manchester City Council leader Richard Leese had written a letter to the chapel expressing shock at the proposals for staff cuts.
A chastened management team led by editor Paul Horrocks held a series of meetings with staff throughout the following day (Friday February 17) where they explained a little more of their plans for the MEN and other publications, their thinking on staffing and rotas with a fifth fewer subs, reporters and photographers and their determination to negotiate a more flexible contract with journalists.
They admitted their relationship with the journalists had all but broken down and said they wanted to improve communications and consultations. They had decided that in future they would deal with staff directly, effectively sidelining the NUJ, but staff responded in no uncertain terms - negotiate with our elected officers.
Talks with the chapel committee supported by a national officer will start asap.
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What's behind the threat to jobs at the MEN
Some thoughts on the issues involved |
