Hitch delays ‘Times’ deal

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 6

Hitch delays ‘Times’ deal

NZPA-Reuter London Las t-m i n ut e hitches yesterday appeared to jeopardise an expected peace settlement in the journalists’ strike that has kept “The Times” off the streets since last Friday. Journalists and management negotiators had reached verbal agreement on an 18-month deal said to be worth $55 a week. ' The deal was to be recommended to the National Union of Journalists’ chapel (office branch) at “The Times”. :.i .< .. But no vote was taken because “The Times” .parent company, Thomson British Holdings, had not. yet-’ approved the deal.

The Thomson company had been expected to give a quick nod to assent. The delay meant that the deal had not yet been confirmed by “The Times” management.

' The journalists, who indicated approval for. the. deal, were to meet this morning, when it is hoped they will have a concrete peace formula to discuss. ■ The strike started when “The Times” management refused to implement a'2l per cent pay award recommended by an independent arbitrator. The journalists were offered 18 per cent.

The deadlock was broken at a meeting between the two sides which, ended early yesterday. In '■ Ottawa, 'a i Canadian Cabinet,, Minister has said the government is considering an. inquiry into a publishing deal, also involving the Thomson group,; which closed two daily newspapers and left- their., cities with only one English-language paper apiece.- . Thomson Newspapers, controlled by Lord Thomson of Fleet, shut the “Ottawa Journal,”.; and,, the Southam Publishing Group announced the closing of the “Winnipeg Tribune.” Both companies cited financial losses. ;The Thomson group also closed the FP (Free Press) News Service, which had correspondents in London, Washington and Ottawa, because it no longer had enough newspapers left to serve.

In addition, ■ Thomson and Southam..,announced a $49 million deal under - which Southam acquired Thomson holdings in papers in Vancouver, and Montreal.

Mr Jim Fleming, the Minister of State for Multi-Cul-turalism,-; said the Government, may hold; an .inquiry into the deals and added: .“It is shocking to see two major corporations ■ k apparently working:in concert? to shut down two major; newspapers."--'