There’s life after lay-offs
What happens to redundant journalists after the cheque and P45 arrives?
For the last couple of years it’s been happening all round the country as the recession bites; the NUJ reckons more than 2,000 members lost their jobs in the year from July 2008.
The most savage cuts have come in the regional press, with the worst of all in the “slash and burn” strategy of the Trinity Mirror group. One of the biggest mass sackings came in June when TM’s Liverpool office shed 43 staff on one day.
What are they doing now? The Journalist spoke to five of the staff axed from the Liverpool Daily Post, Liverpool Echo and associated weeklies.
Between them they have 86 years experience of covering the ups and downs of life on Merseyside. But now Richard Williams, Peter Harvey, Mary Murtagh, Martin Birchall and Rachel Roberts are settling into this new chapter in their lives — with new businesses, babies and careers ahead of them.
I miss the cut and thrust – but I feel so much better
NAME: Martin Birchall
FORMER JOB: Senior staff photographer, Liverpool Daily Post and Echo
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 18 years
AGE: 51
I had worked in newspapers for 30 years photographing royalty, sports stars and important events, winning major photographic awards along the way. So when redundancy came up I decided it was time for a change.
I spent some of my payout on camera gear and setting up my business — Martin Birchall Photography. I do PR jobs, give college and university lectures as well as running photography workshops at places like Knowsley Safari Park (right).
Now I can give something back — to help others get a thrill out of photography. I do miss it — the cut and thrust of the job — but I feel so much better in myself now.
I’m starting my degree
NAME: Rachel Roberts
FORMER JOB: Editorial assistant, Liverpool Echo, and trainee reporter, Ormskirk Advertiser
LENGTH OF SERVICE: Five years total in both jobs
AGE: 24
This autumn I’m starting my English degree at Hope University, Liverpool. I paid off my debts with my redundancy money so I have a clean slate when I start my course. I want to go on to train to become an English teacher. I’m really looking forward to it.
I wasn’t happy as a reporter — it wasn’t the job for me — but I do miss that feeling when you see your name on the front page and the buzz of the newsroom. I am made up that I got the chance to work for a newspaper — I’ll never forget it.
Life has been kind to me – I’m one of the lucky ones
NAME: Peter Harvey
FORMER JOB: Editor of Trinity Mirror weekly titles. Previously sports writer, feature writer, news reporter, crime reporter and sub-editor at the Liverpool Daily Post and Liverpool Echo.
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 19 years
AGE: 41
Redundancy was forced on me when my job as editor of two weekly titles was axed in October 2008. Despite being committed to community journalism in a digital future and having an unblemished career, I was the only one to be made compulsorily redundant.
I was determined to leave quietly, with dignity and without regrets. Bitterness can cloud fond memories if you let it. The pay-off went on a people carrier, a new roof and a Christmas Disney trip.
Life has been kind to me since I left. I’m one of the lucky ones. I now work four days a week for a marketing communications firm in Liverpool and really enjoy it. I do other writing work and spend a lot more time with my kids.
Change was thrust upon me but I’m better off for it — my wife says I’m a better husband and dad, and there’s a fourth child on their way before Christmas. That wasn’t part of the plan 12 months ago!
I haven’t looked back
NAME: Mary Murtagh
FORMER JOB: Senior news reporter and video journalist, Liverpool Echo
LENGTH OF SERVICE: Four years
AGE: 35
I loved my job so redundancy wasn’t a natural or easy step for me to take. But six months on, I haven’t looked back. I set up my own business, Mary Murtagh Media, and work as a freelance journalist, copywriter, PR, media trainer and public speaker.
Since I left I’ve media trained senior police officers, interviewed Royal Danish Navy divers on a warship in the Mediterranean and written a corporate brochure for a multi-million pound company. It’s been hard work starting from scratch but every day is different and I’m my own boss.
I work 14-hour days sometimes but I know the hard work is an investment in my own future. The flip side is I can give myself a day off whenever I like and spend the day taming the wilderness that is my allotment.
I don’t miss getting up at 5.30am
NAME: Richard Williams
FORMER JOB: Picture editor, Liverpool Daily Post and Liverpool Echo
LENGTH OF SERVICE: 40 years
AGE: 60
Taking redundancy was not an easy decision to make and I admit that I did wobble. I was disorientated for a few weeks but I don’t miss getting up at 5.30am and the daily worry of a stressful job like that.
Newspapers have been part and parcel of my life for so long but I am concerned about their future. I’ve been freelancing a few days a week and doing videos, which I’ve always been interested in, because I still want to keep my hand in. I love messing about on boats so I’ve been doing lots of that too.
I’m really glad I did take redundancy — I’ve no regrets.