South Wales Argus newspaper jobs threat confirmed
- Published
The owners of the Newport-based newspaper the South Wales Argus have confirmed that jobs are at risk due to a proposed restructuring.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has claimed that five editorial posts are to go and offices in Chepstow and Pontypool are to close.
Parent company Newsquest is one of the largest regional publishers in the UK.
Kevin Ward, of Newsquest East Wales and Gloucestershire, says the company is in consultation with affected staff.
The NUJ claimed the losses included one sub-editor, a reporter, a photographer and an editorial assistant.
The union said a vacant sub-editing post would also remain unfilled.
Mr Ward confirmed that the company had proposed restructuring in editorial and advertising departments.
"Unfortunately these proposals have placed a number of jobs at risk," said Mr Ward.
Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ's general secretary, claimed the company was trying to boost profits for shareholders.
"The announcement of job cuts and office closures in Wales is a direct attack on our members and quality journalism," she said.
Newsquest, which has 5,000 employees in the UK, is in turn owned by American media group Gannett, which publishes 85 daily newspapers and owns 23 TV stations in the US.