The National Union of Journalists has today won formal recognition at newspapers in South Wales after a long negotiation process.

A ballot was held with both union and non-union staff at the South Wales Evening Post, Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal on Friday.

Of the 92 editorial staff in the bargaining unit, 79 chose to vote, returning a 45 to 34 result in favour of formal recognition.

Forty per cent of editorial had to be in favour of recognition for the vote to be passed.

Lawrence Shaw, NUJ assistant organiser for Wales, called it a landmark day.

He said: "This has been the result of an intensive campaign by the NUJ members with membership doubling in the past year to about 50pc.

"They are now looking forward to building a constructive relationship with management to promote the interests of all journalists at the papers which is, after all, what this ballot was all about.

"Management are now duty bound to by law to negotiate with the union over proper hours and conditions.

"We have not gone in there to cause trouble. In my experience, it's easier for management to talk to a union than to people individually."

Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ's newly-appointed deputy general secretary, added: "I send my congratulations to our members in South Wales who have finally won a genuine voice at work.

"I'm confident that all journalists at the papers will soon see the benefits of a unionised workplace, won because of hard work by some excellent local reps."

South Wales Evening Post editor Spencer Feeney was unavailable for comment.

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