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Union to ballot over strike action at Trinity titles

Union members at Trinity Mirror titles in Scotland are to be balloted over possible strike action.

Staff at city-based local freesheet The Glaswegian as well as the Daily Record and Sunday Mail are to be asked whether they want full strike action or work to rule action.

The latter could involve making sure all breaks are taken, staff only work contracted hours or not performing other people’s roles.

The three titles, which are produced out of the same office, employ approximately 260 editorial staff.

National Union of Journalists Scottish organiser Paul Holleran said: “The dispute with them is over insufficient staffing levels and they have refused to fill vacancies.

“It’s got to the stage where people are having to cover for colleagues as they’ve not got the staff to go round.

“They’re probably 16 people down on what they were in the last three or four years.

“Ballot papers are going out towards the end of the week and it’s normally a week for people to vote.”

A Trinity Mirror spokesman said: “The NUJ is balloting its members over the non-replacement of two staff positions due to the economic climate.

“We understand they are considering a work to rule rather than full industrial action.”