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Ten-day strike by journalists to hit newsrooms from today

A ten-day strike was today due to begin at South Yorkshire Newspapers, as National Union of Journalists members continue their protest over pay.

Editorial staff at the Doncaster Free Press, Doncaster Advertiser, South Yorkshire Times, Epworth Bells, Goole Courier, Gainsborough Standard and the Community Newsletter have said they will stay away from work until August 2 unless management offers “constructive talks”.

But there appears to be something of a stalemate situation as the company has said it is willing to continue “constructive dialogue” – provided the threat of industrial action is removed.

NUJ members are unhappy with a pay rise offer of 2.75 per cent and are instead pushing for an improved offer which they say would bring pay in line with other similar Johnson Press centres.

They also say they are facing an increasing workload because of non-replacement of staff.

They have so far held three days of action, on July 12, 18 and 19, combined with a fortnight’s work to rule which took effect from July 10.

South Yorkshire Newspapers has said its publications will not be affected by the strike.