INDEPENDENT Newspapers (UK) is to issue individual contracts to 50 journalists employed in North West London Newspapers. The company is part of the same group as Independent Newspapers (Ireland). The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the decision at North West London Newspapers as an attempt not to recognise the union.
Titles owned by North West London Newspapers include the Kilburn Times, Hackney Gazette, Wembley and Brent Times, Cuban Times, Willesden and Brent Chronicle, Camden and & Pancras Chronicle, Hornsey Journal, Barking and Dagenham Post and East London Advertiser, along with a number of associated freesheets. The move has come as a surprise as the Independent group has tended to recognise unions.
The NUJ official representing journalists at the London titles, Mr Bernie Corbett, is to visit Ireland next week to address meetings of Irish NUJ chapels in the Independent group. The chapels include those at the Irish Independent, the Star, the Kerryman, the Wexford People and the Drogheda Independent.
Mr Corbett has written to the deputy managing director of Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Mr Lawrie Proctor, seeking the withdrawal of the letters and an urgent meeting. Mr Corbett says the journalists' contracts require greater flexibility and significantly longer working hours.
The Irish executive council of the NUJ has condemned the decision and called on journalists in all chapels associated with Independent Newspapers (UK) and Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd to support the campaign to restore recognition of the union in North West London Newspapers.
Mr Proctor was not available for comment last night. Staff at his office said he was attending a management meeting.