The mass termination of the journalists and other staff of Sun is all the more improper as it was a breach of good faith by the management which was in the midst of negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the delay of a one-month bonus due last month and another month’s in three instalments commencing February as well as the issue of the reinstatement of two suspended journalists arising from the Sun front-page story on the assassination plot targetted at the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
It is a matter of grave concern that there are reports that there would be more terminations next week.
The Sun management should withdraw all termination letters issued yesterday and enter into proper negotiations with NUJ on the future of the staff. The withdrawal of the termination letters is important if the Sun management is not to be accused of engaging in a “union-busting” operation, especially as six of ten key NUJ branch officials in the Sun had their services terminated.
(12/1/2002)