Guardian and Observer journalists, members of the National Union of Journalists, are on strike again on Thursday and Friday over a decision of the Scott Trust to sell The Observer to a small start-up Tortoise.
I offered solidarity in person last week by visiting the York Way picket which was very well supported (a few minutes walk from Kings Cross station or one stop on the 390 bus).
Ive been reading the Observer (like the Guardian) since the 1960s and was pleased to see them come under common ownership. Of course they represent liberal, progressive journalism, and I’m a socialist. Neither paper is likely to publish an Editorial demanding workers power. However when one looks at the rest of the UK press the difference is still considerable and valued.
The journalists who actually provide the content for both papers are clearly not on board, and going on strike, never done lightly- the first for 50 years or so at the Guardian- underlines that.
Its time for the Scott Trust to think again, to fully engage with journalists and it might also try asking long time readers too…
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