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North East journalists vote in favour of strike action

Newsquest journalists in Darlington have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

The National Union of Journalists chapel voted 92pc in favour of some form of industrial action while 80pc chose full strike action in the vote over a pay freeze and cuts.

Last month Newsquest North East announced proposals to cut 17 editorial posts at the centre which produces The Northern Echo, The Darlington and Stockton Times, the Durham Times and the Advertiser Series.

Also under threat are five district offices in Stockton, Redcar, Barnard Castle, Richmond and Thirsk.

The chapel now has 28 days to inform management of any action but father of the chapel Adam Murray said no dates had been set yet.

“The ballot was on pay and compulsory redundancies and we’re still open to what action we will take,” he said.

“At present we are still in discussions about redundancy. We are still hopeful of avoiding compulsory redundancies no-one has left the company yet.

“NUJ members are still upset about the pay freeze after years of hard work and high profits.”

Newsquest North East managing director David Coates was unavailable to comment.