‘Times’ publishing hopes slim

Press, 18 August 1979, Page 9

‘Times’ publishing hopes slim

NZPA London Hopes for an early restart to the publication of two of Britain’s most prestigious newspapers, “The Times” and the “Sunday Times,” are now slim. The intense optimism generated late last month after agreement between union officials and Times Newspapers, Ltd, on a package to bring the papers back on the streets, has virtually disappeared in the face of continued opposition by some print workers and ’ clerical staff. .. .

The two papers, along with three associated specialist supplements on literature, education, and higher education, have been suspended for aimost nine months. They ceased publication oi November 30, last year when no agreement had been reached on wide-ranging negotiations on a new disputes procedure, new manning levels, and the new printing technology by the manage-ment-imposed deadline. After sporadic talks through the first half of this year, a breakthrough was

heralded late last month when negotiators agreed on a package offering specific terms for republication. The package has been agreed by the main print union, .tie National Graphic;! Association, and by smaller technical unions. But, despite the recommendation of its national executives, the Natsopa (the National Society of Operat.ve Printers, Graphical, and Media Personnel), chapels at Times newspapers have rejected the deal. Machine-room workers and clerical staff belonging

to the union have already voted overwhelmingly against the republication deal, and Natsopa chapel fathers have voted that no individual chapel belonging to the union with T.N.L. will accept unless all 20 Times Natsopa chapels are satisfied. Writing in the latest edition of the “Times Challenger,” produced by former “Times” staff, Natsopa’s London secretary, Mr John Mitchell, says the prospect of his members’ accepting the return-to-work formula is “remote in the extreme.”