National publishing giant Reach has responded to the National Union of Journalists’ expressions of “disappointment” and “dismay” following the latest round of pay talks facilitated between the parties by ACAS.
A Reach spokesman said in a statement: “In keeping with our commitment to support our journalists we have been undertaking extensive negotiations with the NUJ over recent months. Part of our discussions this week, through engagement with ACAS in the hope of reaching an agreement, included the offer of enhanced terms that would have benefitted hundreds of our journalists, representing several thousands of pounds to many of them.
As the enhancement of these terms formed part of the NUJ’s original claim, we were disappointed that these were dismissed out of hand without being presented to their members.”
Reach plc is one of the UK’s biggest publishers, with a portfolio of around 240 regional titles as well as national newspapers including the Daily and Sunday Express, Mirror and Star and Scotland’s Daily Record and Sunday Mail. It employs around 4,000 staff and in 2021 reported revenues of £615.8m
