From left: Gilbertson, Smith, Rigby and Foye
Taylor & Francis has announced the transfer of a division out of London which, it is claimed, could see more than 100 journalists leaving.
The company is moving its book division from central London to an industrial estate in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, where T&F’s journals are housed.
The announcement coincided with the £1.1bn merger between Lloyds List publisher, the Informa Group and Taylor & Francis.
Insiders said the news came as a huge blow to journalists in the division – many of whom are expected to opt for redundancy due to the extra distance that they would have to travel.
A source close to the company suggested there could be more than 100 journalists leaving. “If they have got on the London housing ladder, they don’t want to come off so, for many people, it is tantamount to redundancy. The building is two miles from Didcot station so it’s not even easily accessible by train,” a source said. T&F moved its journals division to Milton Park in Abingdon two years ago. Staff in the books division are unable to remain in their London office as the lease is due to expire in September.
The NUJ were due to hold talks with management at T&F this week and the chapel is in the process of drawing up a relocation claim.
Mike Sherrington, magazines organiser of the NUJ, said it was too early to be specific on numbers.
He told Press Gazette: “Early indications show most of the staff don’t want to move. We are in negotiations over a relocation package.
“Members are very angry at what’s happened and the threat of tearing up our existing house agreement does not help,” he added.
The deal with Informa will result in the creation of a new company, T&F Informa, employing around 3,800 staff. It will include around 2,500 subscription- based products and 2,800 events.
The new T&F Informa board will include David Smith, chairman (Taylor & Francis); Peter Rigby, chief executive (Informa); David Gilbertson, managing director (Informa); and Anthony Foye, finance director (Taylor & Francis).
The merger is expected to be completed by May.
By Ruth Addicott
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