print facility to close

The Queensland Times was founded in 1859 as The Ipswich Herald and is the oldest surviving provincial paper in Queensland. The print facility in Ipswich that is responsible for printing the publication will be closed by the end of 2006, with APN consolidating production over to its new site in Yandina.

APN confirms that 25 permanent printing jobs will be lost with another 35 casual staff to go. However, this conflicts with reports from the AMWU that nearly 60 casual inserters were going to lose their jobs.

Danny Dougherty, secretary of the AMWU print division, has criticised APN for failing to properly consult with employees prior to reaching the decision.

“They were called to a meeting at lunchtime yesterday (16 August), while most union offices were closed because of the public holiday in Brisbane, and given details of the plan and estimated redundancy payouts. It was as sudden and abrupt as that,” claims Dougherty.

But APN insists that new opportunities will be made available for most of the permanent employees. It claims jobs vacancies have been identified at four other sites and relocation packages are being provided for staff who wish to take up alternative employment at other APN locations like Yandina, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Lismore, Toowoomba and Mackay.

APN claims employees deciding not to relocate with the company will be compensated with redundancy payments in accordance with the conditions of their employment, including severance payments to eligible casuals.

“Apart from actual printing, all other functions of daily production will continue from Ipswich including editorial, advertising and administration,” APN claimed in a media statement.

The AMWU has labeled the decision to close the Ipswich facility as an example of a large corporation putting profits ahead of interests of the local community.

“This company rips millions of dollars each year in advertising and newspaper sales out of the Ipswich and West Moreton community. However, it will not invest in local jobs and local skills by continuing to print this historic paper locally,” he says.

“This is disgraceful, because local newspapers are meant to be part of the local community in every way. We are not just talking about any old printing business here. We are talking about the local daily newspaper and one that has been printed locally for nearly 150 years.

Dougherty emphasises that hundreds of Queenslanders have started their printing apprenticeships or built their careers at the Queensland Times, and confirms the AMWU is planning a community campaign on the issue that will involve a major rally will be held outside the Queensland Times.

“We are also calling on local politicians, community leaders, businesses and unions to get behind this campaign,” he says.