THE National Union of Journalists has instructed four members recruited this week by the newly appointed editor of the Sunday Tribune, Mr Matt Cooper, not to take positions at the newspaper until a dispute at the company has been resolved.
A breach of the instruction would involve disciplinary proceedings, which could lead to expulsion from the union.
The NUJ action follows an emergency meeting of members at the Sunday Tribune yesterday, held after it emerged that five journalists at the paper were being let go, "with others to follow".
The union has instructed the five journalists to report for work as usual next week.
According to the NUJ's Irish secretary, Mr Eoin Ronayne, Mr Cooper had acted in breach of the existing house agreement in taking action without discussions with the chapel.
There were also breaches of the house agreement in the appointment of new recruits without advertisement of the posts, Mr Ronayne said.
He added that the newspaper's board had also breached the house agreement, as under its provisions they had agreed to a consultation process before the appointment of an editor.
He added that the newspaper's board had also breached the house agreement, as under its provisions they had agreed to a consultation process before the appointment of an editor.
Ms Susan McKay, mother of the chapel (shop steward), at the newspaper, said the journalists we angry at the way member were treated but were "confident the matter could be solved amicably".
"We just want the company to sit down and talk," she said.
