Britain biggest newspaper publisher announced soaring profits for
2004 after another year that has seen editorial redundancies at its
regional and national titles.
2004 after another year that has seen editorial redundancies at its
regional and national titles.
Despite circulation dropping 6.9 per cent at
flagship title the Daily Mirror in 2004 operating profit was up 10.8
per cent year-on-year at the national titles to £95.1 million on
turnover up 3.8 per cent to £519.7 million.
flagship title the Daily Mirror in 2004 operating profit was up 10.8
per cent year-on-year at the national titles to £95.1 million on
turnover up 3.8 per cent to £519.7 million.
The regional newpapers continue to be Trinity
Mirror’s cash cow and cost-cutting in 2004 helped boost operating
profit by 24.7 per cent to £150.6 million on turnover up 6.1 per cent
to £540.1 million.
Mirror’s cash cow and cost-cutting in 2004 helped boost operating
profit by 24.7 per cent to £150.6 million on turnover up 6.1 per cent
to £540.1 million.
Journalists at Trinity Mirror’s regional titles
were expected to greet the figures today (04/03/05) by hitting the
streets in protest against their pay levels.
were expected to greet the figures today (04/03/05) by hitting the
streets in protest against their pay levels.
According to the NUJ they planned to leaflet town
centres, meet MPs and write to leading local business and community
figures to publicise a campaign entitled Fair Pay at Trinity.
centres, meet MPs and write to leading local business and community
figures to publicise a campaign entitled Fair Pay at Trinity.
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “We are
striking a blow against the hypocrisy of a company which will celebrate
its huge profits whilst many of its journalists continue to suffer from
appallingly low pay.
striking a blow against the hypocrisy of a company which will celebrate
its huge profits whilst many of its journalists continue to suffer from
appallingly low pay.
“These are people who have passed exams, often
have a degree and sometimes a postgraduate qualification and have two
years experience – yet all Trinity Mirror think they are worth is £37 a
day.
have a degree and sometimes a postgraduate qualification and have two
years experience – yet all Trinity Mirror think they are worth is £37 a
day.
“In real terms that means some Trinity
journalists are earning at least £8,800 less per year than the average
rate of equivalent graduates in other professions. This race to the
bottom has to stop and companies need to build success on quality and
professionalism not low pay and long hours”.
journalists are earning at least £8,800 less per year than the average
rate of equivalent graduates in other professions. This race to the
bottom has to stop and companies need to build success on quality and
professionalism not low pay and long hours”.
Jeremy Dear has also written to Trinity Chief
Executive Sly Bailey urging her to act on behalf of journalists “who
contribute so significantly to the success of the company…and are
seeking a 5% rise. Meeting such a claim would go a long way towards
restoring morale, addressing low pay and rewarding staff who have
helped make 2004 another good year for Trinity shareholders”.
Executive Sly Bailey urging her to act on behalf of journalists “who
contribute so significantly to the success of the company…and are
seeking a 5% rise. Meeting such a claim would go a long way towards
restoring morale, addressing low pay and rewarding staff who have
helped make 2004 another good year for Trinity shareholders”.
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