National Union of Journalists members at Sheffield Newspapers have agreed a pay deal with company management.

Journalists at the Sheffield Star, Sheffield Telegraph, Sheffield Weekly Gazette, Sheffield Journal and the website www.sheffieldtoday.net, all owned by Johnston Press, had voted in favour of strike action.

In a ballot held last month 80 per cent of NUJ members voted for a strike and 88 per cent voted for action short of a stoppage.

But they have now accepted a pay offer which will be backdated to June 1.

The deal will see journalists receive a rise of 2.75 per cent or £640 - whichever is the greater.

There will also be a new minimum rate for two year seniors, a rise of five per cent on the two lowest senior bandings and £640 on the other bands.

From April 1 next year there will be a further 2.75 per cent, or inflation up to three per cent.

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