Longford News owners expand in NI
Just days after announcing the decision to close three newspapers in the region, it has emerged that Alpha Newspaper Group have expanded their group of titles in Northern Ireland with the acquisition of the Newry Democrat for an undisclosed sum.
The paper was bought from Thomas Crosbie Holdings, who own 12 local newspaper titles in the Republic, including the Roscommon Herald and Sligo Champion.
Staff at the Longford News, Roscommon Champion and Athlone Voice met with management from Alpha Newspapers to discuss proposals and redundancies on Thursday and Friday last week.
Speaking to the Leader, NUJ Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley said the company refused to negotiate collectively with the union, which represented four members of staff (journalists) at the Longford News. He said individual meetings with members of staff took place, with each members asked to put forward proposals to management in mitigation of the redundancy.
"In most cases, the union's position was that the paper should not be taken off the streets and should be sold as a going concern.
"Some workers put forward a proposal to amalgamate titles or the introduction of a shorter working week," said Mr Dooley.
On Friday, a second meeting took place where all proposals were rejected and staff were told that they would receive the statutory redundancy, which Mr Dooley described as "disappointing and mean spirited".
Mr Dooley said that the acquisition of the Newry Democrat demonstrates the Alpha Group's commitment to Northern Ireland above the Midland Group.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
