Welcome to the occupation

‘pucker up for heaven’s sake, there’s never been so much at stake’ Placebo – Every me, every you

So off I went to the meeting in Gateshead, slightly apprehensive but hoping that it would just be something that was slightly irrevelant to my job but still important to the company as a whole. When I got there I chatted with some colleagues and the general mood was nervous. No-one was too sure what was going on, only that our regional director had red puffy eyes from crying for most of the morning (apparently this is a common way to handle a crisis!). We had to wait around for 25 minutes, which was terrible. By the time we were called into the boardroom my stomach was in knots & I was beginning to wish I hadn’t eaten breakfast.

We were then read an announcement which went out to all TMD employees at that exact time. It said how revenue was lower than expected from the sites, and whilst traffic to them was good, it was also below expectations. We kind of guessed what was coming. Our regional director struggled through the statement (kept choking up & having to have a quick sip of water) until the end and then we were told what we had, by now, guessed.

The sites will be re-intergrated back into the newspapers, with direct control returning to the newspaper editors. There will be some people who get to stay, but there will be significant redundancies. I think I kind of went into shock at this point. We were told that no jobs would be going straight away, but probably some time in late November, early December (‘Merry Christmas from TMD, now f*ck off) and every effort would be made to ensure that we were either placed elsewhere in the company, or given help in obtaining a new job. Plus we get a rather nice fat pay-off as well.

There is no definite word on who is to go yet, but looking at my role, I think it’s safe to say that I will be one of them. I mean let’s face it, I have barely enough to do now & there are 20 odd reporters downstairs who all manage quite well to do their own research so why would I be needed. It’s not being pessimistic, it’s being realistic.

We got sent home, given the weekend off & we now have centre meetings on Monday morning to choose our representatives for the consultation process. I will now have to sit back & wait for what happens next. I have a feeling the next couple of months will be very unstable.

But on a lighter note, I’m off to get my hair done & pick up Helen from the train station for a weekend of drinking and girlie gossip.

Until there is a next time…

xx