Tamedia cuts 20 jobs at Editorial Services German-speaking Switzerland
Tamedia is cutting about 20 full-time positions in its Editorial Services division in German-speaking Switzerland by February 2019. The company announced on Wednesday that this is due to the new organizational structure introduced at the beginning of the year and new production systems. According to the union, 31 employees will lose their jobs.
The affected employees will be supported with a social plan, according to a media release. Tamedia's editorial offices in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland, as well as the title editorial offices, are not affected by the restructuring.
Tamedia will adapt the Editorial Services division to the new organizational form by spring 2019. The standardization of production systems, layouts and production processes will allow for automation and increased efficiency. With the new organization, Tamedia wants to secure the quality and economic independence and thus the journalistic independence of its titles, as well as strengthen the digital offerings, writes the media group.
The "necessary adjustments" in the area of Tamedia Editorial Services German-speaking Switzerland have so far been carried out as far as possible through fluctuation and internal transfers. In addition, Tamedia has offered individual employees severance agreements and financial support for professional realignment since June 2018 (Werbewoche.ch reported). The now planned reduction of around 20 full-time positions in the production departments will take place by February 2019.
Expansion of digital journalism
At the same time, Tamedia is investing in the expansion of digital journalism and the technological infrastructure in order to expand its offerings and further increase the number of digital subscriptions. This includes in particular the areas of digital storytelling, data journalism, video, infographics and social networks. Furthermore, the establishment of product and IT development teams for the paid media is to be accelerated.
Tamedia had reorganized the editorial teams of its paid daily and Sunday newspapers at the beginning of 2018. The new organization allows for two central editorial offices in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland at the Bern, Lausanne and Zurich locations, as well as independent title editorial offices in the regions. Tamedia has eleven paid daily newspapers and two Sunday newspapers.
31 employees affected
Syndicom is surprised by the announcement of the cutbacks, which according to the union will affect 31 employees. Tamedia had given assurances at the time of the launch of the cover editorial offices that no layoffs would be coming to the staff, the union wrote in a statement on Wednesday evening. In fact, the management had suggested to the staff that the reduction targets would be implemented through voluntary and natural departures.
The consultation process, which runs until August 22, also coincides with the summer vacations, Syndicom continues to criticize. Tamedia has until February 2019 to implement the cost-cutting measures. There is therefore enough time to carry out the consultation process seriously and with the involvement of the workforce. Therefore, this must be postponed and the deadline extended to an appropriate duration, the union demands. (SDA)
