National Union of Journalists members in York are continuing their battle for “fair pay” by holding a series of mandatory chapel meetings each morning.

Last week editorial staff from Newsquest titles The Press and the Gazette and Herald ended five days of continuous strike action over a long-running pay dispute.

Starting from next Thursday, the 34 NUJ members will be holding meetings every morning at 8am for a week.

The meetings are intended to last as long as is needed for business to be completed.

NUJ assistant organiser Jenny Lennox said: “We are very disappointed that management still refuses to take this matter seriously. Our members feel they have no option but to take further action.

“The union remains committed to finding a resolution to this dispute and has repeatedly stated that we would be happy to meet with management.”

Management at Newsquest York had expressed “astonishment” at the strike action over the company’s three per cent pay offer for 2008, with an extra 0.5 per cent available for discretionary payments.

It said it was looking increasingly attractive as the economic situation became ever more challenging.