MEAA goes to Fair Work Commission over Fairfax cuts

MEAA has written to Fairfax Media to express our extreme disappointment at the announcement that the regional arm of the business, Australian Community Media (ACM) would proceed with its plan to drastically cut editorial jobs at its Illawarra and South Coast newspapers.

Fairfax Media’s Australian Community Media director John Angilley yesterday confirmed that 47 journalists, photographers and commercial staff will lose their jobs as part of a plan to “revitalise” regional newspapers and allow staff to “adopt more efficient ways of working.”

MEAA Media director Katelin McInerney said: “These massive cuts to editorial staff will not safeguard or secure the future of Fairfax’s iconic regional mastheads. The only way to adapt and evolve to the changing media landscape and the financial challenges this represents is to invest in quality journalism.”

“MEAA members do not accept the company’s decision and for that reason we have no choice but to seek further assistance from the Fair Work commission.”