News

Fairfax to move Pagemasters sub editing contract to New Zealand

PagemastersFairfax Media has announced it is ending the sub editing of its newspapers by Pagemasters, in a move that will see up to 40 journalist positions moved from Australian to its New Zealand.

The decision to move the subediting of many of its news pages was announced today to staff by Sydney Morning Herald editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir who said in an email: “We have decided not to continue with Pagemasters and will transition the work to Fairfax’s specialist editorial production unit, Fairfax Editorial Services, over the next six months.”

Fairfax has been gradually outsourcing subediting of its newspaper operation in New Zealand, which Fairfax sources have told Mumbrella has a headcount cost around half that of its Australian operation in terms of subeditors.

The New Zealand operation already does some subediting for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times, as well as copy-editing for The Australian Financial Review.  Fairfax Editorial Services also does page layout and copy-editing for The Newcastle Herald and The Illawarra Mercury.

Many of those employed by Pagemasters are former Fairfax Media and News Limited staffers who lost their jobs during the cuts. At the time of posting Pagemasters had not responded to requests for comment but as Mumbrella reported in April the publisher put the subediting service on notice with 40 jobs up in the air. 

At the time of posting Fairfax Media had not responded to requests for comment.

Nic Christensen 

Update: Pagemasters managing director Peter Atkinson has provided a comment saying:

“We’re obviously disappointed by the Fairfax decision – and particularly for those staff members who will be affected by this change. However it won’t have a significant impact on Pagemasters’ overall business which remains strong and vibrant with many new projects in the pipeline.

“(The decision impacts) about 40 (full time equivalents) FTEs – although only about half of those are full-time roles, with the remainder made up of part-time and casuals.
“We’ll obviously be trying to absorb as many as possible into our existing operations over the coming months – as well as into any new projects that come to fruition. At Fairfax’s request, we’ll continue to provide a service to Fairfax for at least three and up to six months while they make their alternative arrangements.”

Goodsir’s email to staff: 

All,

As you know, Fairfax has been reviewing arrangements we have in place with Pagemasters to perform copy-editing across news, business, world and sport sections for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times. Our three-year contract with Pagemasters expires soon.

We have decided not to continue with Pagemasters and will transition the work to Fairfax’s specialist editorial production unit, Fairfax Editorial Services, over the next six months. Fairfax Editorial Services operates from New Zealand and already does print sections work for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times, as well as copy-editing for The Australian Financial Review.  Fairfax Editorial Services also does page layout and copy-editing for The Newcastle Herald and The Illawarra Mercury.

We look forward to working with our colleagues in Fairfax Editorial Services – and appreciate your cooperation and support throughout the transition. We expect it will be a smooth process.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Regards

Darren

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