Tamedia journalists in French-speaking Switzerland demonstrate against redundancy plans
The staff of Tamedia’s French-speaking Swiss publications walked off the job for one hour late Thursday morning in Geneva and Lausanne. About 100 people gathered in front of the offices of the *Tribune de Genève* and *24 Heures*. Journalists, union representatives, and politicians took part in the action. The Vaud cantonal government met with the social partners.
The protest came around two weeks after the announcement of a downsizing plan by Switzerland's largest publisher (Markt-kom.com reported). The plan envisages the elimination of 90 jobs in the editorial offices and 200 jobs at the printing plants in Bussigny VD and Zurich, which are to be closed.
The western Swiss titles such as the Tribune de Genève, 24 Heures or Le Matin Dimanche could be particularly hard hit. According to their projections, one in four or even one in three jobs would be lost.
This massive restructuring plan means the slow death for the Tribune de Genèvewhich has already lost around a third of its workforce in the last ten years, said its staff representative Rocco Zacheo on Thursday. For his colleague from 24 HeuresErwan Le Bec, it is "a simple and straightforward destruction of the editorial offices".
Details on dismantling soon
When asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency, Le Bec explained that questions had been addressed to Tamedia's management, in particular to find out what the group's "exact plans" were and how many people would be made redundant.
These questions have so far remained unanswered. Details of the restructuring are to be announced in stages next week and in the first week of October.
State Council meets with Tamedia executives
The Vaud State Council discussed the planned restructuring with the management of Tamedia at a joint meeting, as announced by the Vaud government on Thursday. The State Council had asked those responsible at the media company to extend the consultation procedure in connection with the planned closure of the printing plant. The company has agreed to this.
At another meeting, the government also met with staff representatives from Tamedia, the printing plant in Bussigny VD and the trade unions. The State Council understands and shares the concerns of the workforce, it continued. (SDA/swi)
