Journalists at National World are set to stage the first-ever company-wide walkout on Monday (September 18) after the National Union of Journalists and the company failed to agree terms over a new pay deal.
Over 330 journalists at titles across the UK and Ireland, including The Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star, will participate in the first of three planned days of strike action.
National World imposed a 4.5 per cent pay award in July after talks between the union and National World stalled.
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said: “Members want National World to reconsider their position and offer a pay package that reflects journalists’ hard work at the company. Instead, they have been met with resistance and left with no option than to strike as they defend their calls for a fair pay rise and efforts to address growing pay disparities. The NUJ remains open to negotiations, keen to reach an agreement that members can accept.”
An NUJ National World group chapel spokesperson added: “This the first time that there’s been this kind of company-wide industrial action on any issue at National World – or its predecessors – and it’s a reflection of just how much many of our members are struggling.
“The real-terms pay cut imposed by the company simply doesn’t do enough to recognise the hard work of our members or the impacts of the cost of living crisis. It also fails to address pay disparities and low rates of pay that mean some of our trainee reporters – many of whom completed degrees just to get a foot in the door – are now having to take on second jobs to make ends meet.
“Local journalism shouldn’t only be an option for those who can be subsidised by their parents or partners. This is a company that says it has healthy cash reserves and is in a position to invest, so why won’t it invest in ensuring its own staff can afford to stay in their jobs?”
Journalists will also begin a work to rule on September 19, with further strike action planned on September 22 and 25.
