As confirmed by the LCGB trade union, the Saint-Paul media group is to reduce its workforce by shedding 80 jobs.
Earlier today, the staff delegations of Imprimerie Saint-Paul and Regie.lu, as well as the trade union, were informed of the group's intention to carry out a social plan impacting approximately 80 of the 330 employees.
The information was circulated in an internal memo which was leaked and initially published by Radio 100,7. The memo cited Belgian media company Mediahuis, owner of the Group Saint-Paul since spring this year (also active in Belgium, The Netherlands and Ireland), justifying the decision on “digital acceleration” and “operational efficiency” leading to the organisation launching a social plan for 80 staff at Saint-Paul Luxembourg S.A. and the sister company Regie.lu, an advertising agency.
Mediahuis had previous stated that it would not cut jobs when it assumed control of the group; it now blames an unpredictable force majeure for its decision. According to the LCGB, "in the current context of the health crisis, the markets for traditional printing and non-digital publications have tightened even more as the Saint-Paul group is currently suffering from a significant overstaffing".
Negotiations are scheduled to begin next Monday 21 September 2020 for a maximum period of 15 days. According to the LCGB, at the end of this period, the parties will have to agree on the elements of the social plan. The LCGB has undertaken to use all the legal means necessary to support the employees concerned, to greatly reduce the impact on job cuts, as well as to negotiate social and financial support measures.
The Group Saint-Paul publishes various titles including the Luxembourger Wort (different language versions), the Luxembourg Times, Télécran and the Portuguese-language Contacto.
