Fairfax staff angered by outsourcing decision

[Mechanic]

Just about every major customer support service in Australia has been outsourced to India. After reading the report on the latest action by the Fairfax newspaper empire, I am left to wonder how long it will be until the subediting of their newspapers will also be performed by some back store operation somewhere in India.

Fairfax staff angered by outsourcing decision
Unions say Fairfax staff are "shocked and angry" over a management decision to outsource the subediting of its news, business and sports reports.

In an announcement to staff this morning, Fairfax Media CEO Greg Hywood outlined a number of production changes which he conceded "carry some pain".

But he said the money saved will be redirected towards recruiting more writers and reporters.

Under the changes, the subediting of the group's flagship metropolitan newspapers, including The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, will be outsourced to Australian Associated Press subsidiary Pagemasters.

The federal secretary of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Chris Warren, says the move equates to significant job losses.

Read more:- http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/03/3206681.htm

[Mechanic]

I thought I was Joking when I said Fairfax would outsource jobs to India. It's not editorial but advertising. Not Australia but New Zealand

Fairfax NZ sending 45 jobs to India - union
New Zealand's biggest newspaper proprietor Fairfax Media is looking to make up to 45 staff redundant by outsourcing their jobs to India, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) said today.

Work compiling newspaper advertisements would go to a creative advertising studio in India, and 10 new "production coordinator" positions would be created in New Zealand, the EPMU said.

Read more:-

http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/fairfax-nz-offshore-45-jobs-india-union-ck-95791

[Dave Hughes]

Yes George, your prediction seems to have come true!

The chief executive came out with the usual excuse, which was left unchallenged by the reporter.

Australian chief executive of Fairfax Media Ltd, Greg Hywood this week defended the decision to outsource its sub-editing, saying the "re-allocation of resources" would allow the company to "re-invest in the reporting, and writing and design of the papers".

How simple would it have been to ask for details of those investment plans?

Probably the reporter realised it was the usual hot air!