Members of the National Union of Journalists chapel at Newsquest's Stourbridge-based newspapers have told the publisher they will not do the work of professional photographers facing redundancy.
They passed a motion, which also threatens industrial action, to oppose compulsory redundancies as the publisher plans to cut four photographer roles down to one full-time equivalent on its Worcestershire titles.
The NUJ said that other chapels are expected to follow the same line as staff photographers and picture desk staff are targeted for redundancy.
Newsquest has also announced in the last week that three photography jobs would be lost in London, with staff halved from six to three, and one in Gloucestershire.
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The motion said: “We, as the Stourbridge Newsquest NUJ chapel, resolve to remind Newsquest that as a chapel we are opposed to compulsory redundancies within the editorial department at Newsquest Stourbridge.
“Should the company make compulsory redundancies the chapel has resolved to meet and consider the possibility of industrial action.
“We also wish to make it clear that, as reporters, we are opposed to the replacement of professional photographers by other staff.
“Therefore NUJ members have resolved not to accept assignments which would normally be given to professional photographers.”
Reuters, Johnston Press, Trinity Mirror and Local World have all been reported by Press Gazette in recent months to have cut photography staff.
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