Independent in breach of partnership - unions

The National Implementation Body (NIB) has begun an investigation into union claims that the newspaper group Independent News & Media (IN&M) is in breach of the national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress.

The NIB met early yesterday to hear a complaint from trade unions over the manner in which IN&M is introducing a series of redundancies.

The complaint concerns a decision by IN&M to seek 205 redundancies as part of plans to outsource every part of its operation, apart from editorial and printing. Management has given staff until May 21st to accept a redundancy package - a move which unions claim is in breach of several agreements, including two Labour Court recommendations demanding no forced redundancies.

While the NIB does not have the power to make legally enforceable directions, it can make recommendations to ensure adherence to the "spirit and intent" of Sustaining Progress.

Mr Declan Carlyle, IN&M's head of human resources, said it did not make a submission to the NIB, but expected to in the coming days. He claimed the company had nearly reached its voluntary redundancy target.