On 18 December the Guardian Media Group and Tortoise announced that they had signed off on the sale. Here is the response of the Guardian and Observer Branch.

Guardian and Observer NUJ branch statement

OVER THE PAST 48 hours, journalists at the Guardian and Observer have been taking part in a historic strike to oppose the transfer of the Observer to Tortoise Media. Our industrial action was backed by 93 per cent of members and saw support from parliamentarians and union leaders, as well as prominent artists, musicians, actors and other cultural figures. We are all equally passionate about preserving the integrity of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper.

So we were outraged to wake up to news this morning that members of the Scott Trust had chosen to approve the deal while our action was taking place. The decision to move ahead with the deal, in principle, underlined their refusal to take on board the well-founded objections and strength of opposition from journalists and readers.

This chapel is still opposed to the transfer and believes that by ramming this deeply unpopular and opaque deal through they have undermined their values and sparked a crisis in governance, a responsibility that lies at the door of the boards of the Scott Trust and Guardian Media Group. The Guardian and Observer has a long and proud history of journalists' participation in the organisation; this has never felt more at risk. We urge the company to pause, reconsider all options and the impact this will have on the standing of the Observer and the long-term future of liberal journalism.

Image © Rob Biddulph, licensed to the campaign

Two days of strikes take place next week [on 12-13 December] and the Guardian and Observer NUJ chapel will be meeting to consider further actions.

We are grateful for the support shown by our readers and the wider public.

© Guardian and Observer Chapel Branch

From the London Freelance chair

This is a brave and principled stand that the journalists are taking, in reply to the a management's action designed to rebuff and insult their staff.

Managers announced the go-ahead as a fait accompli at a time when the journalists were making the sacrifice of strike action to save the Observer - losing their income while the owners were squandering money on a foolish investment that could wreck the paper. Remember, they have an immense mandate for their action - a 93 per cent vote for the strike.

We are asking all journalists to do all they can for their embattled colleagues. Don't work for the Guardian on strike days but spread the message of support.

We have invited reps from the Guardian and Observer chapel to our seasonal party in London on Tuesday to enjoy our hospitality and brief us on the next stage of their fight.

© Tim Gopsill
London Freelance Branch chair

• London Freelance Branch urges members to support the strike.
• The picket is at King's Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Report of the first day here.

Observer and Guardian resist Tortoise threat meeting report, Oct 2024