Journalists employed by Johnston Press at Yorkshire Regional Newspapers, based in Scarborough, will hold a 24-hour strike on Friday.
The strike comes in protest at Johnston Press’s introduction of the Atex content management system and, according to the National Union of Journalists, attacks on professional standards of journalism.
Union representatives informed local management last week of their intention to strike. The move follows a successful ballot by the NUJ of its members in Scarborough.
The planned walkout follows industrial action at the Johnston Press-owned Blackpool Gazette and Herald over the introduction of the controversial Atex system and a vote in favour of industrial action, on the same issue, at Sheffield Newspapers.
Related
Union members across Johnston Press are expected to ballot later this month on a possible group-wide strike over the introduction of the Atex system and concerns about low staffing levels.
Jason Rewse-Davies, managing director of Yorkshire Regional Newspapers, said: ‘We are disappointed that the NUJ has taken this action opposing the introduction of the new content management system and workflows, particularly as the NUJ has not used the internal disputes procedure.
‘The content management system has already been installed and is in use, and we have avoided the need for any compulsory redundancies of permanent members of staff.
‘We are confident that we have strong contingency plans in place and any industrial action will not have a significant impact on our publications.”
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
