“Stricken” journalists and members of the public are gathering outside Fairfax newspaper offices, angry at the company’s plan to axe 70 editorial jobs and outsource work.
Staff at the The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review voted for a snap 24-hour strike on Wednesday afternoon after learning 25 editorial production jobs, 30 photographic positions and 15 jobs in the Life Media division were on the chopping block in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.
Journalists and supporters began gathering at Fairfax headquarters in Sydney’s Pyrmont early on Thursday, while Melbourne staff are planning a 1pm (AEST) rally outside Media House.
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance representative and longtime Sydney Morning Herald journalist Stuart Washington said staff were reeling.
“The staff are emotionally stricken, it’s sad to say,” Washington told AAP on Thursday.
He said employees fear Fairfax’s national pool of photographers would shrink to just 10 permanent staff.
“We see that as a real hit to the heart of what Fairfax says it wants to maintain, and that’s the quality of the media,” Washington said.
Fairfax on Wednesday described the strike as “unlawful”.
“The company is disappointed that some journalists have chosen to take this unlawful action,” the publisher said in a statement.
Stay informed, daily
“The company had commenced a meaningful consultation process about the proposed changes and has planned further briefings with affected employees and their representatives.”
Staff have been warned that anyone participating in strike action may be fired or face disciplinary action.
In Melbourne, meanwhile, independent digital publisher company Private Media advertised for three journalists to work at its new publication The Mandarin.
The Mandarin is a new title from Private Media, aimed at Australia’s public administration professionals, focusing on executive-level public officials responsible for public policy decisions.
Its first editor will be Jason Whittaker, current editor of Crikey.
