A roadsign pointing left with the words strike on it.

Journalists at the National World publisher will be taking strike action on Monday 18 September in a dispute over pay. Over 330 journalists at titles in the UK and Ireland including the Scotsman, the Yorkshire Post and the Sheffield Star will participate in the first ever company-wide walkout.

The National Union Journalists (NUJ) says that in July, National World imposed a 4.5 per cent pay award after months of negotiations the union stalled. The union says it has previously engaged with the publisher through negotiations with Acas, attempting to reach an agreement that would resolve the dispute.   

Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said: “Members want National World to reconsider their position and offer a pay package that reflects journalists’ hard work at the company. Instead, they have been met with resistance and left with no option than to strike as they defend their calls for a fair pay rise and efforts to address growing pay disparities. The NUJ remains open to negotiations, keen to reach an agreement that members can accept.”  

A spokesperson for the National World group NUJ chapel said: “This the first time that there’s been this kind of company-wide industrial action on any issue at National World – or its predecessors – and it’s a reflection of just how much many of our members are struggling. 

“The real-terms pay cut imposed by the company simply doesn’t do enough to recognise the hard work of our members or the impacts of the cost of living crisis. It also fails to address pay disparities and low rates of pay that mean some of our trainee reporters – many of whom completed degrees just to get a foot in the door – are now having to take on second jobs to make ends meet. 

“Local journalism shouldn’t only be an option for those who can be subsidised by their parents or partners. This is a company that says it has healthy cash reserves and is in a position to invest, so why won’t it invest in ensuring its own staff can afford to stay in their jobs?” 

Further strike action is planned on 22 and 25 September. Journalists will also be working to rule from 19 September.

PS. We hope you enjoyed this article. Bright Green has got big plans for the future to publish many more articles like this. You can help make that happen. Please donate to Bright Green now donate to Bright Green now.

Image credit: Nick Youngson – Creative Commons