A planned five-day strike by National World journalists next week has been postponed indefinitely after management reportedly refused to hold further talks with union reps.
NUJ members at the publisher of over 100 regional newspapers and websites including The Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star previously walked out on strike for three days last month in protest at a proposed 4.5% pay increase for journalists, saying it was a real-terms pay cut. The industrial action was the first nationwide strike at National World or its predecessor publishers, JPI Media and Johnston Press. The company has so far declined to comment publicly on the strikes.
The National Union of Journalists group chapel for National World co-chairs Julia Armstrong and John A MacInnes, as well as group chapel servicing officer Laura Davison, told members that National World management “has categorically refused to hold further talks with the union” over pay rises and the latest planned strike action.
A motion passed late Tuesday afternoon said: “Given the company’s intransigence, the group chapel has reviewed the position and considered the impact on members of taking five days of strike action next week, with consequent loss of pay, in light of this new information.
“Having carefully considered the issues we do not believe that pursuing strike action at this time with the knock on financial impact on members is appropriate.”
The chapel has not proposed a new date for the strike, but noted its mandate remains valid until the end of February.
Members will continue to work to rule until Monday October 23, when the strike had been due to start, and resume working to rule after Friday October 27, when it had would have ended.
The chapel representatives added that: “Reps have had to consider a pragmatic approach in response to the company’s intransigence… We understand that for some members this will be a disappointing decision and for others it may be a relief.”
The NUJ’s national organiser Laura Davison said: “We are very proud of our members at National World and their determined action so far to address the poor pay on their newspapers and websites.
“It is hugely disappointing that the company has flatly refused to engage and listen to the concerns of staff.
“Reps have made a pragmatic decision to postpone next week’s action with its consequent loss of pay. The work to rule will continue as planned and the union will act in solidarity to pursue this dispute.”
