Independent journalists facing pay cuts of up to 50 per cent if they switch from newspaper to online-only title
Independent newspaper journalists switching from print to digital are facing pay cuts of up to 50 per cent.
The National Union of Journalists has said it is "concerned for the future" of The Independent, which is moving this week to become digital-only.
And The Guardian today reports that some journalists are being asked to take pay cuts of as much as half their current salaries if they transfer to the digital operation.
Read more: Indy to close as Johnston confirms £24m acquisition of the i
The closure of The Independent comes shortly before regional publisher Johnston Press is due to complete its takeover of the i newspaper.
Of around 160 journalists working across The Independent, Independent on Sunday and i newspapers, 100 are expected to lose their jobs.
Some 34 are set to transfer to Johnston Press's i, and 25 are being created at the online-only Independent.
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said in a statement: "The Independent has a long tradition of high quality news journalism and comment.
"It is to continue in a digital form but the NUJ is concerned for the future while the move is made on the cheap.
"The pay and conditions on the digital side are worse than on the print side.
"Experienced staff are being lost because of low budgets and current digital staff have concerns about pay, workloads and other issues."
City A.M. has asked The Independent for comment.