NUJ condemns Bullivant jobs advert
Union calls for all journalists not to work for Bullivant Media during the strike.
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Following the industrial action taken by employees earlier this week, Bullivant Media Limited has placed adverts in its newspaper seeking to fill temporary journalism jobs seemingly in an attempt to break the ongoing strike action organised by its employees.
The next strike at the company will take place on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September.
In response to the advertisement, the Bullivant Media NUJ Chapel said:
"We call on all journalists not to work for Bullivant Media Limited during our strike action.
"All of the journalists working for the company are united, we have taken action calling for fair pay, improved working practices and against compulsory redundancies.
"It is extremely disappointing to us that the company has chosen to advertise for temporary cover rather than meaningfully negotiating on our reasonable demands.
"Our strike has been a regrettable last resort; we hope other journalists will stand by us in our fight for jobs, journalism and justice."
Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands senior organiser, said:
"NUJ members at Bullivant Media are conducting a campaign of lawful industrial action in defence of quality journalism and forced, compulsory redundancies.
"We urge all journalists to show their support and solidarity and remind all NUJ members of their obligations not to do anything which could undermine workers engaged in industrial action."
Séamus Dooley, NUJ assistant general secretary, said:
"This is a crass attempt by the company to undermine industrial action by its own workers. An invitation to break the strike will merely serve to strengthen the resolve of the NUJ and will be seen for what it is by readers and the community."
The NUJ chapel at Bullivant Media includes all 18 members of the editorial team and the company runs weekly free newspapers and websites with titles including the Coventry Observer, Leamington Observer, Rugby Observer, Stratford Observer, Solihull Observer, Redditch Standard, Bromsgrove Standard, Worcester Observer and Evesham Observer.