Newsquest journalists in Yorkshire and the North East have called for a ballot for industrial action over a pay freeze.
The ballot follows a letter to staff from Steve Hughes, managing director at Newsquest York, which confirmed that staff pay reviews would not take place this year due to the difficult trading conditions the firm has experienced in 2012. However, staff in Newsquest’s Darlington office will receive a 2% pay increase.
Mark Stead, York father of chapel at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), said: “This ballot is not a course of action we want to take, but the sheer intransigence of Newsquest Yorkshire and North East, and its stance of treating employees separated by only 57 miles differently leaves our members with no option.
“This is the third time in four years staff at an award-winning newspaper have had to put up with unacceptable pay and lack of willingness by Newsquest to appreciate and value the work they do.”
The ballot will open on 28 August and close on 11 September.
Newsquest has been approached for comment. We are still waiting for their reply.
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