Pohjois-Suomen Media Oy, Alma Media's subsidiary that publishes regional, local and town papers in Northern Finland, starts statutory personnel negotiations affecting all its employees.  

According to the company, its  number of employees may reduce by 27 man-years. The negotiations concern the planned reorganising and rationalising of the operations of Pohjois-Suomen Media Oy. The target for the reorganisation is to improve the competitiveness of the company and its products. In 2009, Pohjois-Suomen Media Oy had approximately 230 employees.

Among other things, the company is currently working on a renewal project concerning its three regional newspapers, Lapin Kansa, Pohjolan Sanomat and Kainuun Sanomat. The outcome of the project includes one joint editorial office for the papers, supported by three local offices, one for each title. The aim of the project is to improve the journalistic renewal ability, quality and service both for readers and advertisers.

"We knew to expect a call to negotiations, but it's a total surprise to us that the employer plans such a large reduction in jobs", says ombudsman Valtteri Aaltonen, from the Union of Journalists in Finland.

Alma Media is a profitable media company with a focus on

newspapers and online services. Its best known products are the Aamulehti, Iltalehti, Kauppalehti and Etuovi.com. Alma Media's net sales in 2009 totalled MEUR 307.8 with an operating margin of 13.5 per cent.