A row over plans to introduce a morning edition at the Manchester Evening News has seen more than 50 staff submit individual grievances voicing their concerns.

The newspaper is currently gearing up to increase its editions from three to four, with an additional 50,000 copies published overnight and made available to readers at breakfast time.

But some journalists at the paper fear the move will be imposed without extra staff or resources, forcing them to work new shift patterns and more anti-social shifts, which they claim would be in breach of their contracts.

They also claim the move would see them given extra responsibilities, and the prospect of shifts without the breaks required under the Working Time Regulations.

Editor Paul Horrocks confirmed that since the plans were announced he has received more than 50 individually signed letters from concerned staff.

He said: "I have responded to each letter individually, but at the moment the matters raised are being progressed on a collective basis with the NUJ.

"Discussions are ongoing, with talks taking place on almost a daily basis.

"No one is suggesting that staff work through breaks. We are not asking them to work longer hours, just different hours.

"And if staff do work through breaks in our current three-edition system they receive a meal break payment. We are not seeking to differ from this.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk