Journalists at the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette have voted to recognise the National Union of Journalists.

In a postal ballot, which the paper agreed to on a voluntary basis, a majority voted for union recognition.

Seventy ballot papers were sent out and of the 54 returned, 53 voted for union recognition, with one person voting against.

Before the ballot both the Evening Gazette and the NUJ sent out letters putting their cases forward, with the paper asking if there was a need for the union as there is already a staff council in operation at the paper.

But NUJ regional organiser Miles Barter said that the result of ballot showed the paper now needed to listen to the concerns of its staff.

Evening Gazette editor Stephen Dyson said: "We put our argument forward and then let the staff decide - and we respect their decision.

"There is a great working relationship here and people have a real passion for the paper. Our circulation is rising and we don't want anything getting in the way of that."

The union says that by gaining recognition it has the ability to bargain over pay and conditions such as working hours and holidays, health and safety, parental leave and treatment at work.

It also enables the union to represent members in trouble, through an agreed disciplinary and grievance procedure - covering those facing discipline or the sack and those wishing to bring complaints to the management.

Negotiations between the Evening Gazette and NUJ are likely to begin shortly.

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