SNP MP MEETS WITH HERALD GROUP TO DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING.

SNP MP MEETS WITH HERALD GROUP TO DISCUSS RESTRUCTURING.



SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT TO SPEAK OUT OVER CUTS

SNP Westminster Media spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, today (Tuesday) met with Tim Blott, managing director of Herald/Times and new editor-in-chief, Donald Martin to discuss the restructuring of the Herald titles which has resulted in the all 250 staff being made redundant and forced to reapply for their jobs. Mr Wishart was accompanied by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather. The Scottish Parliament will debate the restructuring at the Herald titles this week.

Speaking following today’s meeting, Mr Wishart said:

“We had a full and frank exchange of views on the Herald/Times restructuring plans and the management team heard very clearly our unhappiness at the current situation.
“We repeatedly asked them to get round the table with the unions and resolve their issues without these mass redundancies but it appears the Herald/Times management are determined to pursue this course of action and re-employ staff on reduced terms and conditions.
“I reminded them of their commitment to the Competition Commission to develop and properly invest in these titles when they were acquired by Newsquest in 2003. Instead they have consistently eroded editorial staff and now we face this appalling example of poor industrial relations.
“The current situation is more akin to Wapping and the shoddy industrial practices of the 1980s than the development of a 21st century media group.”
SNP MSP Sandra White, who will lead a debate on the future of the Herald / Evening Times in the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday) said:
"The actions of management at the Herald/Evening Times group raise serious questions about their commitment to invest and to build these iconic Scottish titles.
"The Scottish Parliament will make its voice heard loud and clear tomorrow as we urge management to reconsider their approach and the conditions they are offering."