The National Union of Journalists has formally notified National World of further planned strike action by journalists with members set to walk out for a full week, from 23 to 27 October.
The latest industrial action by NUJ members across the UK and Ireland follows historic three-day companywide action last month, as journalists opposed a below-inflation 4.5 per cent pay award imposed on them.
The union is calling on National World to return to talks with an increased pay package to settle the dispute, and highlighting National World’s reported £9.3m operating profits last year, £10m in cash balances and its recent £11m cash acquisition of Midland News Association and Press Computer Systems as examples of why National World both can and should address concerns over pay.
The likely impact of further strike action has been described by the NUJ as “considerable and likely to leave communities with outdated news as National World replicates campaigns across titles, as it did during walkouts in September.”
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said: “The decision to take further strike action has been a difficult one for our members at National World who desperately wish the company’s leadership would engage with the NUJ to reach a fair settlement. The resilience displayed by journalists is rooted in their belief that changes must occur at the company to address flawed approaches to pay. No journalist should be forced into seeking a second job to make ends meet, and we remain open to talks encouraging the company to rethink its position, seeking solutions that bring an end to the dispute.”
