National Union of Journalists members at the Sheffield Star and Sheffield Telegraph have today begun industrial action in a protest over workloads and staffing levels.

Members say they are under pressure and claim that 12 editorial posts are currently vacant.

From today they will be taking a screen break together between 10am and 10.10am, a lunch break between 12.30pm and 1.30pm and another screen break between 3pm and 3.10pm every afternoon.

They also say they will only be working their contracted hours and will not be working any unpaid overtime as some staff are often required to do.

The action will continue “until further notice” and will be reviewed by the chapel after a week.

Sheffield Newspapers mother of chapel Julia Armstrong said: “The chapel feels enough is enough and that it is time to do something about staffing.

“We are stressed out, we are missing time with our families and the quality of the papers is suffering.”