The management at Newsquest York has expressed astonishment at the National Union of Journalists' planned strike action over the company's pay offer for 2008.

The company believes its offer of three per cent across the board with an extra 0.5 per cent available for discretionary payments is looking increasingly attractive as the economic situation becomes ever more challenging.

And the company, which publishes The Press and the Gazette and Herald, has now written to all staff asking them to accept the terms on offer by Monday.

A five-day walkout by union members is threatened for next week following eight months of negotiations which failed to result in a deal on pay.

Managing director Steve Hughes said: "In fairness to our editorial employees, many of whom have been asking what is happening with this year's pay review, we have now written to all editorial staff, giving them the opportunity to accept the pay increase offered, by Monday May 19.

"We cannot force anyone to accept a pay rise but, in taking this step, those who wish to take advantage of it will now be able to do so.

"After that date our current offer will be withdrawn."

In a statement released last night, he also took the opportunity to correct what he calls "misleading" claims about support for industrial action.

He said: "In fact only 22 people from a staff of 58 voted in favour of such action.

"Also we note that the NUJ representatives are urging Newsquest to return to the table for genuine and meaningful negotiations.

"This is a bit rich when, after eight months of protracted talks, it was the NUJ who walked away by balloting for industrial action and rejecting the company’s offer of mediation through ACAS."

Chapel reps said last week that the below-inflation pay-offer was set against a background of increased workloads, understaffing and attacks on members' pensions.

They said staff had been patient during the eight-month dispute and urged the company to act to avoid a strike.

But Steve said in his statement: "We hope that the NUJ sees sense and accepts what we believe is a very reasonable offer at the current time."

Click here to have your say on this story