Newsquest national pay battle moves closer

Submitted by Matthew on 25 January, 2012 - 3:06

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) chapels in the Newsquest group of papers met for a national “group chapel” on Saturday 21 January to discuss a campaign against the profitable company's attempt to impose a pay freeze.

The journalists are trying to get hold of Newsquest trading figures for their respective areas.

Chapels could launch industrial action ballots around 24 February, when the TUC is organising a “Work your hours” day.

The group chapel was very supportive of Newsquest North and South Essex chapels. They have already launched an industrial dispute against a pay freeze and local management's plan to impose a single pay “anniversary” (the point in the year at which pay is renegotiated) for all editorial staff, meaning some workers would not be considered for a wage increase until June 2013.

The two chapels have had strong “yes” votes for action in ballots and are looking to put their demands to local management this week.

South Essex plan to start a work-to-rule on Monday 30 January, and could escalate to a three-day strike.

North Essex are currently discussing the form of their industrial action, but have pledged not to handle work that might be done by South Essex.

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