Why The Argus needs local subs

News stories in The Argus are now being sub-edited by staff in Southampton.

Comments from our online petition

Although a resident of Southampton, I fully support the aims of the strikers, and hope that The Argus continues using your local people. The Echo in Southampton has enough work and workers to survive without taking work from Brighton. - Christine Wright

It's beyond idiotic that the job of subbing a local newspaper is to leave the local area. Subs need to have local knowledge - they won't have that in Southampton. It's also a scandal that big chiefs gloat about profits and enjoy pay rises while the rank & file suffer pay freezes. Re-think, Newsquest - before you kill the Argus. - Nikki Bayley

Newspapers need to keep it local otherwise we ma as well just get our info from the internet! Sub editing doesn't appear to be something that can be done easily from a distance, I'm sure you'll find it also involves interaction as part of a team. Many companies lost their souls when off-shoring jobs, please don't go the same way - Rob Griffin

The Argus is integral to the local community so it is essential that the staff remain local for their invaluable knowledge. They should also be paid a fair wage for the great work that they do, not suffer pay freezes while the fat cats reap in tidy bonuses.  - Anna Jefferson

Read more comments and sign our petition at http://www.petition.co.uk/keep-the-brighton-argus-local

Paper petition

Argus Petition



Sign the online petition at http://www.petition.co.uk/signatures/keep-the-brighton-argus-local

A Christmas ditty for our nearly departed subs

It's Christmastime, there's no need to be afraid
At Argustime, we get rid of subs and IT get laid (off)

And in Davison’s world of plenty he will sport a smile of joy
And spend his massive bonus at Christmastime

But say a prayer, Pray for the Brighton subs
At The Argus it's hard (for some), but never having fun

There's a world outside the window (apparently)
Inside’s a world of dread and fear

Where the only money flowing
it to buy the Scummers beers

And the Christmas bells that ring here are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

And there won't be snow in Hollingbury this Christmastime
If there is they’ll dock a day’s pay for no shows

Where the plant man always goes
but so few computers glow
Do Subs know it's Christmastime at all?

Here's to you
No pay rise for anyone (except the boss)
Here's to them
Looking for coins to bum
Do Subs know it's Christmastime at all?

Feed the Subs
Let them know it's Christmastime again

How you can help

By striking, we want to send a message to management that we are not prepared to accept changes which we believe will damage your local paper.
Our bosses are far more likely to listen to us if they know we have the support of their customers - our local readers and advertisers.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can show your support for what we are doing:

• Like our Facebook page.
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Sign our petition.
• Download one of our posters and display it prominently in your window or workplace - click here to download.
• Take a picture of the poster, or your own message of support, and upload it to our Flickr group.
• Come along in person to show your support at Argus House in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton.
• Comment on this blog.
• Spread the word.

Our striking colleagues in Southampton go carol singing

It's not just us on strike today - journalists at our sister paper in Southampton (where management want to move those sub-editing jobs) are also taking action at the ongoing pay freeze while our bosses boast of making "lots of money".

Here they are carol singing in Southampton city centre, where they're also handing out leaflets and raising awareness. Click here to visit their blog and lend your support.

Support from Brighton and Hove Council staff

Sue Bowes, city council worker and Unison branch officer said: "We're fighting cuts in the public sector and the argus is fighting cuts in the private sector but the issues are the same - we're trying to defend the ordinary person while the government support big business."

Anna on the line

Anna on the line, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

John Bennett returns to the picket line

John Bennett returns to the picket line, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Green pen letter

Green pen letter, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Windscreen flyering

Windscreen flyering, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

The editor parked his Audi around the back of Argus House this morning to avoid driving through the picket line. We found it...

Ben on the megaphone

Ben on the megaphone, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Looking to break the 13 toots in a row barrier

Looking to break the 13 toots in a row barrier, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

NUJ dep gen sec Michelle Stanistreet visits the picket line

NUJ dep gen sec Michelle Stanistreet visits the picket line, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ Deputy General Secretary said:
"There is a real determination amongst members to work together to put collective pressure on the company. NUJ members at Newsquest have the entire union supporting them in the fight to put journalism before profit. Our strength is in our support for each other as trade union members"

Early start

Early start, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

The picket at Argus House today

Honk!

Honk!, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Going strong at a quarter past one

Going strong at a quarter past one, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

There is grim news

There is grim news, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

The Argus on strike

The Argus on strike, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Picket!

Picket!, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Cold! Always believe in your soul...

Outside Argus House

Outside Argus House, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Keep The Argus local

7.45am

7.45am, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Picketing early

Company communications

The company has indicated to chapel reps that it is not prepared to enter into pay negotiations and regards the loss of sub-editors' jobs to Southampton as "irreversible".

Action December 7 and 8

The chapel has voted to take further strike action on Tuesday, December 7 and Wednesday, December 8 unless the company is willing to meet NUJ reps and meaningfully address members' concerns.

Even our fiercest critics pledge their support

Football fan forums are a notoriously robust arena, and Brighton's North Stand Chat is no exception.
The Argus regularly gets a roasting on there, with any slip-ups swiftly spotted and posted up for general riducule.
So it was fantastic to see so many of its members voicing their support for the paper, and for our strike - maybe they don't really hate us after all!
Read it here for yourself.

Video report on The Argus strike from journalism.co.uk

Newsquest strikes from John Thompson on Vimeo.

What the readers think

Victor Funnell, 79, retired, from Ditchling Rise
"The Argus has been part of this city for a long time and if you want to know what's happening that's where you go. I'm very uncomfortable with the idea of any part of it being made out of the county. These jobs should stay in Brighton."

What the readers think

Suzanne Hamblin-Boone, 34, business magazine editor, from West Grinstead
"I used to live in Brighton and still read The Argus. It's extremely important to the city. I don't agree with the idea of moving the sub-editors to Southampton. If they are responsible for checking there are no mistakes then they need to know the patch the paper covers."

What the readers think

Kevin Daly, owner Rainbow Books, Trafalgar Street
"My father was a sub-editor so I know how important it is that the person checking the articles before they are published knows what they are doing. For a local paper, local knowledge would seem to be essential. Having that process done so far away does seem a strange idea."

What the readers think

Stacey Nona, 25, restaurant worker, from Ringmer Drive. With Gino.

"The Argus is really important to the area because it gives people a voice and it lets us know the things the institutions don't want us to know. It's been doing a good job for a long time so I don't see why it should be changed. I would tell the management of The Argus that we want our local paper to be made locally."

What the readers think

Edgar Willard, 80, retired, from Bevendean Crescent
"A paper for Brighton should be made in Brighton. I get The Argus everyday and I like to think the people who make it know about the city. I would be very sad if this plan went ahead."

Support from Norman Cook and Zoe Ball

We want a local paper for local people so of course we support the NUJ.

- Norman Cook and Zoe Ball

Brighton Pavilion's Green MP Caroline Lucas joins the picket line

Brighton Pavilion's Green MP Caroline Lucas joins the picket line, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Alex Knutsen of Unison joins the picket

Alex Knutsen of Unison joins the picket, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

John Bennett on the picket line

John Bennett on the picket line, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Day 2...

Day 2..., originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Honk honk

Honk honk, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Clean sheets

Video: the picket line and FoC Tim Norman on why we're striking

The picket line gets a toot!



Tim Norman on why we're striking

Attila the Stockbroker lends his support

And it wasn't just local politicians lending their support - legendary performance poet and all-round agitator Attila the Stockbroker was also on this morning's picket line with this pithy sign.

He also gave us this message of support:

"A local paper should be produced locally by local journalists, not in a different county!
"The Argus is an important part of our local culture. One message for Newsquest’s greedy board - reinstate the Argus subeditors and pay all the staff a decent wage!"

The Argus on strike!

The Argus on strike!, originally uploaded by Argus NUJ.

Good job guys - loads of support from everyone too. Ace!

Support from Simon Kirby MP for Brighton Kemp Town

"Supporting local business is one of my key priorities as the Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown and so any loss of local jobs is source of regret. It is therefore disappointing that Newsquest have decided to relocate the Argus sub-editing function out of Brighton & Hove in favour of Southampton.

The Argus is a real Brighton & Hove institution and, although it clearly needs to adapt to new challenges, it is a great shame that it seem to be gradually losing its link with our City.

I believe democracy in our city is best served by having a genuinely local newspaper with journalists and editors who have an in-depth understanding of local issues.

I also reiterate my backing for the motion unanimously passed by Brighton and Hove City Council last year, supporting the City’s local written media and expressing concern at the growing regionalisation of press coverage in general. Unfortunately, this latest move by Newsquest seems to be another example of this and I hope they can be persuaded to reconsider this decision."

Statement of support from Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion

“As Brighton’s chief newspaper, the Argus performs a crucial service for local people – disseminating information on what is happening in and around our city and playing a hugely important role in holding our elected representatives to account. As a local paper, the Argus is key to encouraging a sense of pride in our communities, and provides a forum for people to talk about their achievements and debate the future of the city. This is a service that must be maintained and well resourced.

 

“Which is why I’m opposed to these misguided attempts by the Newsquest owners to pare down to a skeleton staff and move sub-editors to a completely different city. What’s more, it seems hugely unfair that Argus staff are facing a two and a half year pay freeze, whilst the Chief Executive is in line for a 21% pay increase. Sadly, when you put ownership of the media, especially local media, in the hands of distant multinational corporations like Newsquest, the reality is that key decisions are made by people who have no real appreciation for the consequences on the ground. I fully support the actions of the NUJ in this strike, and hope to see a favourable outcome for the Argus.”

 

The bill you won't see this morning . . .

From Richard Gurner on Twitter/Twitpic:

What other people are saying about us

Here's a round-up of coverage of the strike so far (more to come, hopefully!)

The Opinionist - Up the revolution
Ben Duncan - Boost for local bloggers as US-based Argus owners abandon Brighton
Mary Mears - Statement on the Argus journalists’ strike action
Brighton and Hove News - Argus journalists vote to strike
Journalism.co.uk - Brighton Argus journalists vote to strike
Press Gazette - Brighton Argus journalists join Newsquest colleagues in strike action
News from Brighton - The Argus strike action explained
Uckfield News - Journalists explain strike action at The Argus, Brighton
The Guardian - Argus journalists vote to strike

Support from Mike Weatherley MP

It is easy to take for granted the importance of a locally relevant daily newspaper. Knowing what the public want to read - and then being able to provide it - is all about local knowledge.

The Argus has been a central important publication for many decades and I am concerned that some of that essential local content will get lost with the proposed changes. I urge the newspaper owners to consider alternative options.

- Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade

Support from Mary Mears, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council

As a City, we have managed to weather the economic storm relatively well, in part due to initiatives such as our Be Local Buy Local campaign. So it is disappointing that Newsquest have decided to relocate the Argus sub-editing function out of Brighton & Hove in favour of Southampton. Supporting local business is one of my key priorities as Council Leader and so any loss of local jobs is a real source of regret for me.

Last year, the Council unanimously passed a motion supporting the City’s local written media and expressing concern at the growing regionalisation of press coverage in general. Unfortunately, this latest move by Newsquest seems to be another example of this.

The Argus is a real Brighton & Hove institution and, although they clearly need to move with the times (and the economic realities), it is a great shame that they seem to be gradually locating their operations out of the City. For the sake of strong local democracy, I believe that Brighton & Hove needs a genuinely local newspaper with journalists and editors who have an in-depth understanding of local issues. I hope that Newsquest can be persuaded to reconsider this decision.

- Councillor Mary Mears

Support from Lord Bassam, Opposition Chief Whip, House of Lords

Argus reporters deserve the support of local people for their genuine commitment to local news. I hope the campaign is successful. Even in the era of cyber communications we need a local paper.

Over many years the Argus has been a valuable  community service reflecting on the issues of the day. As a local politician the paper helped me communicate and develop a rapport with residents across the city.

The paper has played an invaluable campaigning role over many years on subjects as diverse as City status and pensioner poverty. Keep up the good fight.

- Lord Bassam

Support from Councillor Ann Norman, Deputy Mayor of Brighton and Hove

I have always bought and read the Argus because it is a local paper with local journalists who have a good knowledge of the area in which we live and work.

Although we are all looking at ways to provide a good service as responsibly and economically as we can, it would be a very sad day should local journalists and other local workers not be producing our local paper from Brighton and Hove.

- Councillor Ann Norman

Support from Councillor Gill Mitchell, Leader of the Labour Group

Brighton and Hove must keep its local paper produced by local journalists who know the City and genuinely reflects its news and views.

- Councillor Gill Mitchell

Support from Councillor Paul Steedman

As a local councillor I find it deeply disturbing how little public scrutiny there really is of the the decisions which the Council - and other public service providers - take. A vibrant, well resourced local media, staffed by local people who know and understand the players and the issues, is absolutely central to maintaining accountability, and facilitating democracy.

I don't always see eye to eye with the Argus angle on every story - and it would probably be pretty worrying if the Argus agreed with me on everything - but the paper's coverage is one of the most important ways that local people can find out what the people they've elected are actually doing on their behalf, as well as what's going on in their communities, in the business world and in the arts, which make up life in our busy city.

While The Argus' reporters have valiantly tried to stay on top of all the issues, the decline in the breadth of coverage and especially in more investigative reporting has been noticeable over recent years as staffing has been pared to the bone. Debate on the letters page has similarly been curtailed. Getting rid of locally-based sub-editors seems to be the last straw. A quality product will sell, but that requires investment, not death by a thousand cuts.

I wish you the best in your fight not only to save jobs - crucial at a time when Government cuts are likely to be pitching large numbers of people in the city out of work - but to save a crucial piece in our democratic jigsaw.

- Councillor Paul Steedman

Support from Julie Stanford, Emeritus President of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce

As an independent publisher I recognise the enormous value of journalists and editors; as a resident in the city and a business owner, I also recognise the value of those same journalists and editors having local knowledge if they are to produce factual, relevant content.

Whilst I understand the need for any business to keep its costs under tight control, this decision by Newsquest to move The Argus' sub-editing operation to Southampton seems short-sighted to say the least. I strongly urge Newsquest to think again and keep our journalists here in the city, where they belong.

- Julie Stanford

Support from Peter Bottomley MP

I shall do what I can in solidarity.

- Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West

Support from Councillor Amy Kennedy

You have the fullest support of myself and Green colleagues in your action to defend jobs and a much-loved local newspaper.

- Councillor Amy Kennedy

Support from Councillor Averil Older

Really shocked to hear this – The Argus has been a part of the city for so long. I hope your actions force a re-think and the paper stays local.

- Councillor Averil Older

Support from Councillor Jason Kitcat

 I absolutely support your strike and your campaigning 100%.

- Councillor Jason Kitcat

Support from Councillor Bob Carden

My thoughts will be with you during your action.

- Councillor Bob Carden

Support from Otherplace Productions, Upstairs At The Three And Ten

Small venues like ourselves, and there are a fair number within the city, who do not have large marketing budgets, rely on the knowledge and dedication of the Argus staff to provide informed opinion about the local arts scene and their ability to recognise and relay this information to the public.

It would be a sad loss to the local community, and Brighton's thriving arts scene in particular, were the Argus' capacity to provide this content eroded any further than it has been over the past few years, and a tragedy for Brighton and Hove to lose what has been an excellent and respected paper that was firmly embedded in the town that it serves.

We fail to see how staff in Southampton can replace the important local knowledge and insight provided by staff living and working in the city of Brighton and Hove, and hope that the Argus management reconsider their decision and it remains a local paper, an important part of the fabric of Brighton and Hove, serving the local community.

- Upstairs At The Three And Ten

Support from The Treason Show's Mark Brailsford

The Treason Show is with you! The Argus is very important locally and if it's being outsourced to Southampton it erodes the identity of this unique cultural city.

- Mark Brailsford

Support from Attila The Stockbroker, John Baine

A local paper should be produced locally by local journalists, not in a different county!

The Argus is an important part of our local culture.  One message for  Newsquest’s greedy board - reinstate the Argus subeditors and pay all the staff a decent wage!

- Attila The Stockbroker

Why we are striking

Newsquest, the American-owned company which runs The Argus, is proposing to move the paper's sub-editing operation to Southampton.

This follows years of cuts, which have seen the loss of more than 100 jobs at The Argus and the closure of its printing press.

We believe a local paper can only be properly produced by local journalists - who know the difference between Patcham and Patching, and where Brighton ends and Hove begins.

Sub-editors are experienced journalists responsible for laying out and designing pages, creating headlines and identifying and correcting mistakes before the paper goes to print.

It's hard to put a price on their local knowledge and skills, but Newsquest seems happy to throw them away in the name of short-term cost savings.

This is why NUJ members based at The Argus are striking - to highlight the needless damage being inflicted on YOUR newspaper.

Last year Newsquest's top executive awarded himself a 21 per cent pay increase.

And the chief financial officer of parent company Gannett recently boasted: "Newsquest makes a lot of money."

Despite this jobs continue to be cut at The Argus, where staff  have suffered a pay freeze for more than 1,000 days.

NUJ members will be on strike this Thursday, November 18, and Friday, November 19.

Please show your support and find out more at www.brightonargus.blogspot.com

NUJ action at The Argus

In response to announced redundancy proposals and ongoing pay freeze, the NUJ chapel at The Argus, Brighton, is taking action.