THE National Union of Journalists has sanctioned industrial action at the Sunday Tribune and confirmed an instruction to any member offered a position at the newspaper not to take it up. The dispute will not affect this week's publication.
Talks will take place on Monday to resolve the dispute over the continued employment of four journalists who are either freelance or contributors. They have, been associated with the newspaper for periods ranging from about six weeks to 10 years.
The new editor, Mr Matt Cooper, who started work last Monday, has told the journalists they will either cease to work for the Tribune or will face a reduction in their work. None of the four has a staff position.
Four other journalists have been offered staff positions. A general instruction to all NUJ members not to take work with the newspaper until the dispute is resolved will affect these people, who learned of the instruction through the media.
The agreement between the NUJ and the Sunday Tribune has a clause which states there must be a minimum number of 18 staff journalists. For some time there have been only 12 staff positions. A further 20 people are employed as freelances or on contracts.
NUJ Irish secretary Mr Eoin Ronayne said yesterday the NUJ had not insisted on minimum staffing levels because of the financial difficulties facing the Sunday Tribune. The union would insist that any further jobs should be advertised, he added. Mr Cooper refused to comment.
The NUJ chapel (office branch) has called on the company not to proceed with any personnel changes. If talks fail the next step in the disputes procedure will be invoked and the matter will be taken to the Labour Relations Commission.
"We further hold the right to hold a ballot on industrial action should the company fail to address our concerns," said a statement. The NUJ has also complained of not being consulted either in the appointment of Mr Cooper as editor, or on Mr Cooper's decisions in relation to the appointment of staff or the dismissal of the four journalists.