Syndicom and Imprint criticize Tamedia

The division of territories among the large media houses and the ongoing monopolization process led to another "black day for the Swiss newspaper landscape," writes Syndicom in a statement. "Tamedia, of all things, the most profitable Swiss publishing house," is reducing press diversity with the further cost-cutting measure and risks cuts in the quality of the media. The Announced reduction of 25 jobs is a mass dismissal, writes Syndicom and insists on the legal rights of participation of the affected workforce. Staff and staff representatives must be consulted. The aim must be to avoid dismissals or to reduce their consequences. This includes the application of a "decent social plan". Syndicom is in contact with the editorial offices. The union is demanding an open participation procedure from Tamedia without time pressure and the start of negotiations on the social plan.

Imprint demands preservation of all editorial positions

The journalists' organization Impressum also criticized Tamedia for the job cuts announced on Wednesday. Once again, an austerity program is being carried out on the backs of media professionals, Imprint said in a statement. The elimination of 25 jobs necessarily means a further reduction in the diversity of information, even if Tamedia denies this. The media company's previous concentration measures had always resulted in the same texts appearing in different titles.

Imprint once again condemns Tamedia's declared profit target of 15 percent, which enjoys a higher priority than the quality of the media. The organization demands that no layoffs be made at all and reminds Chairman of the Board Petro Supino of an SRF 4 broadcast in August 2013, in which he confirmed that no layoffs were planned at the Landbote. If jobs were to be cut elsewhere as a result of the purchase of the Landbote, Supino would be breaking his word, according to Impressum. (SDA/PD/hae)