Battles over pensions force FT reporters to turn to the bottle
NOW WE know that journalists and financiers are famous for their love of a lunchtime pint during the working week, but something tells us there might be more to the drinking habits of FT reporters than simple tradition.
Last year, Japanese publishing giant Nikkei surprised the world by purchasing the Financial Times from former owner Pearson for £844m.
Since then, the new owner has focused its attention on stamping out the paper’s final salary pension scheme.
Not surprisingly, the staff were unimpressed. In October, journalists from the paper voted to start balloting for industrial action against the parent firm.
An FT spokesperson confirmed in October that pension advice is being made available to all staff, but it looks as though some would rather seek solace in Borough market’s watering holes.
A new recruit at the rag posted an open invitation this week to start a running club meeting on Fridays. The idea that “a bit of fresh air and a chat” would be good for morale was met with a curt response in the form of another note posted next to it. Its author, a more established FT hack, said they couldn’t understand why anyone would go for a lunchtime jog when instead they could “go down the pub, have a pint, and moan about their dwindling pension entitlement.”
The Capitalist suggests this would also be good fun if it does end in a strike.