Getty ImagesJournalists from the Guardian and sister publication The Observer are on a two-day strike to protest the proposed sale of the Sunday newspaper to Tortoise Media.
The first strike at the Guardian in more than 50 years is taking place on Wednesday and Thursday (December 4 and 5).
Tortoise is run by James Harding, former editor of The Times and former director of BBC News.
A Guardian spokesman said that while he “recognized the strength of feeling” about the proposed sale and “appreciated that the NUJ [National Union of Journalists] Members want to make their views known, saying they “do not consider a strike to be the best course of action at this time”.
“We have put in place a plan to minimize the impact of the strike action on staff, readers and subscribers and will continue to publish online and produce print editions as normal,” he continued.
The newspaper said UK readers may notice some differences on Wednesday and Thursday on the Guardian’s daily website and its print editions as a result of the strike.
NUJ members last month passed a motion calling for the sale of the Observer to Tortoise with the Scott Trust, owners of the Guardian Media Group (GMG), committed to the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper. There will be “betrayal”.
If the sale goes ahead, Observer staff have been told they can take voluntary redundancy on better terms or transfer to Tortoise on the current terms of their contracts.
In an email to staff, GMG managing director Anna Bateson confirmed “constructive discussions”. [around the sale] If the deal goes ahead, it will continue to “protect the observer’s personnel.”
He added that the freelance contracts will be extended until the end of September 2025 and then renegotiated.
‘important action’
Ollie Jacob Sunday, chair of the Scott Trust, reportedly told staff: “Throughout this process our aim has always been to do the right thing for the readers and staff of The Guardian and Observer so that both titles continue to promote independent journalism and May you continue to thrive long into the future.”
According to the GuardianSunday added that the Scott Trust would remain part owner of the Observer in any such deal, and that the new owners would have to “embodi the values of editorial independence, freedom of the press and liberal journalism.”
“I fully respect people’s rights to take industrial action,” Sunday continued.
NUJ general secretary-elect Laura Davison said the striking journalists had the union’s “full support” as they “took this important industrial action”.
He added, “The massive vote to take this step shows the willingness of journalists to publicly highlight to readers and those who share their collective concerns about the future of the title. “
He noted how the 233-year-old Sunday newspaper “holds a unique and important place in public life and our members look forward to the next chapter in its history”.
Harding has said his company’s proposed takeover provides an opportunity to invest in the title and extend its legacy.
It was revealed in September that Tortoise had approached the Guardian Media Group with an offer to invest around £25m over the next five years in the Observer’s “editorial and commercial renewal”.
A GMG spokesman said: “We respect the right of NUJ members to strike. We continue to publish online and in print and are working to minimize the impact on staff and readers. Our The priority is to ensure the Observer’s journalism has a prominent role in the liberal media landscape.”