Iconic Newspapers has introduced some temporary lay-offs, as well as putting many of its staff on four-day working weeks at its Irish titles, which includes three in Tipperary.
The newspaper group, which owns the Tipperary Star, The Nationalist, and the Midland Tribune, came under the spotlight during the first Covid-19 lockdown after making widespread temporary lay-offs at its titles.
Some editorial roles were also merged during that round of cutbacks.
Tipp FM now understands that four journalists have been temporarily laid-off at the Tipperary Star and The Nationalist with immediate effect, after being told in recent days.
Meanwhile, a significant amount of the rest of the workforce there, including advertising staff, have also been put on four-day working weeks as a further measure.
The initial cutbacks were raised in the Dáil by multiple Tipperary TDs in spring 2020, while it also drew criticism from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Today, the NUJ has expressed alarm at the further round of cuts, saying the move was announced to staff “without prior consultation with the NUJ or staff representatives.”
The Union also says some cuts in the pay of staff who remain at work are part of the measures.
Iconic Newspapers has been contacted by Tipp FM for comment.
