The National Union of Journalists has announced a one day strike set for next Wednesday (25 June) by Newsquest titles in the North West and London.
The action is being taken because of plans to transfer editorial production work to Newport, Wales, as well as proposed redundancies and pay issues.
Press Gazette understands proposed strike action in Hampshire and Sussex has been put on hold because Newsquest management has agreed to discussions over issues in those areas.
The Warrington Guardian, Northwich Guardian, Sale and Altrincham Messenger, Wirral Globe, St Helens Star, Bolton news, Bolton Journal, Bury Journal, Bury Times, Lancashire Telegraph and the South London Guardian papers will all be affected.
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The move comes after NUJ members in the Warrington chapel voted 93.1 per cent in favour of strike action and the Blackburn chapel by 83.1 per cent. NUJ journalists working on the London newspapers voted 100 per cent to go on strike. They are taking action after receiving one pay rise in six years and also the closure of the Elmbridge Guardian and the Twickenham office and loss of jobs.
The NUJ said it had told Newsquest management that it remains committed to finding a resolution without the need for action and has called for talks.
Chris Morley, NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser, said:
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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. 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."
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