NUJ members at Express Newspapers have called off today’s 24-hour walkout as negotiations between the union and mangement enter what has been desribed by a source at the company as a “tender” stage.
The union’s general secretary Jeremy Dear is today meeting Express Newspapers group editorial director Paul Ashford in a bid to reach an agreement over pay and conditions.
It follows a meeting on Tuesday afternoon between Express proprietor Richard Desmond and the NUJ’s national newspaper organiser Barry Fitzpatrick.
Express and Daily Star staff had been due to down tools this morning, ahead of a three-day walkout from next Tuesday in protest at a three per cent pay offer.
An Express Newspapers source said there was a possibility that the chapel might accept three per cent if other conditions were agreed to, including the payment of staff who took time off to strike.
At a chapel meeting last night, members passed a resolution calling for outsourced departments, such as the City desk – which has been outsourced to PA – to be brought back in house.
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