Members of the National Union of Journalists in the North West have voted to strike next Wednesday.
Chris Morley of the NUJ
It’s in response to plans by the publisher to move editorial production work to Wales, as well as disputes over redundancies.
The newspapers affected are the Warrington Guardian, Northwich Guardian, the Sale and Altrincham Messenger, the Wirral Globe, St Helens Star, Bolton News, Bolton Journal, Bury Journal, Bury Times and the Lancashire Telegraph.
93% of NUJ members in Warrington voted for strike action, with 83% in Blackburn coming out in favour.
“Our members are resolute in being ready to strike to defend their colleagues, their journalism and their sanity from exploitative overloading of work that will arise from the company’s latest plans. In the absence of any realisation from Newsquest bosses that they have to fundamentally change tack on these plans, our chapels will take united strike action,” said Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser.
“There are signs that the company’s timetable for implementation is slipping badly already. I suggest managers use this time to talk in a mature and conciliatory manner to their staff representatives about positive ways forward.
