Thomson Reuters has confirmed it is looking to axe 140 journalists’ jobs worldwide, as the newly-merged news agency works to eliminate the overlap between the two businesses.
The company has entered into a period of consultation with staff over the proposed cuts – around half of which are understood to be in Europe.
Under the proposals announced today, the merged Thomson Reuters newsroom is expected to have a headcount of around 2,500 journalists.
Reuters News currently employs around 2,300 journalists, while the Thomson newsroom numbers about 300.
The company is not understood to be planning any voluntary redundancies at present, because it is eager to hold on to key staff. However, Press Gazette understands voluntary redundancies have not been ruled out.
The job cuts programme is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Earlier this month, NUJ members at the news agency voted unanimously to ballot for strike action over the proposed cuts, whichare the result of the £8.7bn merger of London-based agency Reuters with Canadian financial news provider Thomson.
A motion passed by the Thomson Financial News chapel criticised the company’s ‘continuing refusal to consider a voluntary redundancy programme as part of any job-reduction package”.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
