Journalists at The Guardian and Observer will stage a 48-hour strike on December 4 and 5 to protest the planned sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media.
Journalists at The Guardian and Observer newspapers will stage a 48-hour strike on December 4 and 5 in protest of the planned sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media. This action follows an overwhelming vote in favor of a strike by members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The strike, scheduled for the earliest legally permissible date, is expected to significantly disrupt print production. A second 48-hour stoppage is reportedly planned for the following week, according to Press Gazette.
At the heart of the dispute are concerns over job security and the long-term viability of The Observer under Tortoise Media’s ownership. Approximately 70 Observer journalists would transfer to Tortoise Media if the sale proceeds, and questions linger about the adequacy of funding for the bid.
Tortoise Media, led by majority shareholder and founder James Harding, has pledged £25 million of investment in The Observer over five years, aiming to transform it into a self-funding, paywalled news brand with 100,000 new digital subscribers. However, Observer insiders claim the actual investment figure is closer to £20 million, with £5 million expected to come from future profits.
Journalists are sceptical about whether this investment will be sufficient to maintain The Observer’s current breadth of coverage, particularly in areas like sport, business, and foreign news, which are currently supported by The Guardian. The financial stability of Tortoise Media, which is yet to turn a profit, is also a source of anxiety.
The Guardian Media Group (GMG) board has completed its due diligence on the Tortoise Media bid and will present it to the Scott Trust board for a decision in principle at its upcoming meeting. The Scott Trust, the not-for-profit owner of GMG, holds the ultimate authority over the sale. A 75% approval rate from the 12-person Scott Trust board is required for the deal to proceed.
While GMG is currently in exclusive negotiations with Tortoise Media, at least one other consortium has expressed interest in acquiring The Observer, which has a weekly circulation of approximately 100,000 copies.
A GMG spokesperson acknowledged the strength of feeling surrounding the proposed sale and emphasized the company’s respect for the right to strike. They maintained that ongoing discussions with the NUJ are aimed at finding a resolution.
Tortoise Media issued a statement defending its bid, asserting that it offers a plan to save The Observer from “irrelevance and, probably sooner rather than later, closure” under its current ownership. They highlighted the declining sales and staff numbers at The Observer, arguing that their investment and digital expertise are crucial for its survival.
fIn a recent update to staff, GMG CEO Anna Bateson confirmed that the Scott Trust will make the final decision on the Tortoise bid. She also announced that voluntary redundancies may be offered to Observer staff if the deal is approved, mirroring similar offers made to editorial colleagues earlier this year.
NUJ representatives argue that the proposed sale should be suspended while the matter is in dispute, citing their house agreement with GMG management. They have also questioned the apparent haste to finalize the deal before Christmas, seemingly driven by a Tortoise-imposed timetable.
The NUJ remains committed to protecting the interests of its members at The Guardian and Observer. The outcome of the Scott Trust’s decision and the impact of the upcoming strike will be crucial in determining the future of The Observer.
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/guardian-observer-tortoise-strike-december-2024/ – Corroborates the 48-hour strike on December 4 and 5, the overwhelming vote in favor of the strike, and the planned disruption to print production.
- https://news.sky.com/story/guardian-owner-to-discuss-observer-sale-days-before-strike-action-13257292 – Supports the strike dates, the involvement of the Scott Trust in the decision, and the exclusive negotiations with Tortoise Media.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/401342/guardian-journalists-plan-strike-over-sale-of-th.html – Confirms the strike dates, the NUJ’s concerns over job security and the sale, and GMG’s recognition of the strength of feeling among staff.
- https://www.nuj.org.uk/resource/guardian-observer-journalists-vote-to-strike.html – Details the two 48-hour strike periods and the NUJ’s vote in favor of the strike.
- https://www.einpresswire.com/article/762321350/guardian-observer-journalists-vote-to-strike – Supports the strike dates and the NUJ’s decision to strike.
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/nationals/guardian-observer-tortoise-strike-december-2024/ – Provides details on Tortoise Media’s plan to save The Observer and their investment pledge.
- https://news.sky.com/story/guardian-owner-to-discuss-observer-sale-days-before-strike-action-13257292 – Explains the financial situation of The Observer, the decline in sales and staff, and Tortoise Media’s investment plan.
- https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/401342/guardian-journalists-plan-strike-over-sale-of-th.html – Mentions the concerns over funding and the long-term viability of The Observer under Tortoise Media.
- https://news.sky.com/story/guardian-owner-to-discuss-observer-sale-days-before-strike-action-13257292 – Details the role of the Scott Trust in the decision-making process and the requirement for a 75% approval rate.
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