Following London News Network’s announcement that it is axing 28 posts in its news division, Anglia TV is to cut four journalists’ jobs.
LNN, which is jointly owned by Carlton and London Weekend Tele-vision, announced last week that it would be shedding up to 11 per cent of its 280-strong workforce.
The TV news production company, which produces London Tonight, claimed the cuts were due to restructuring and the introduction of new roster patterns.
In an announcement to staff, Denise Harker, managing director, said that following "careful examination" a proposal had been drawn up "which modernises and invests in the news operation to meet the demands of the business in the current tough trading conditions and prepares us for the future".
The announcement says that 28 posts have been identified as possible cuts, but says there will be opportunities for staff to move to other parts of LNN.
Two editorial representatives will be elected to take part in a five-week consultation and single representatives from news management, library/post production and camera operation have also been asked to take part.
The NUJ held talks with staff on Tuesday and has agreed to write to Clive Jones, chief executive of Carlton, which has union recognition, asking him to intervene to persuade LNN chiefs to allow staff to be represented by the NUJ in negotiations.
Paul McLaughlin, national broadcasting organiser for the NUJ, said he was "disappointed" that LNN had chosen to make job cuts at this time. "We have had a positive meeting with our members at LNN and we hope we will be able to have a positive dialogue with the managers," he added.
Granada-owned Anglia is also to cut four jobs in its Norwich newsroom as part of cost-cutting measures.
Three redundancies and one voluntary redundancy are planned, although the NUJ is in negotiations with managers to save some of the posts.
A new position, deputy editor of the regional production unit, is being created, with responsibility for linking Anglia and other regional news departments. The job will also involve responsibility for business, politics and meteorology departments. It is thought David Hughes, currently head of weather and elections, will be in line for the job.
David Beake, FoC at Anglia, said the NUJ was in discussions with managers and was hoping to reduce the number of job losses "quite significantly".
"We think they have gone too far with making savings already," said Beake. "And we will be defending our members’ interests."
By Julie Tomlin
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