National Union of Journalists members at Newsquest (Bradford) have returned to work following two days of strike action.

Group offices in Bradford, Keighley, Shipley, Ilkley, Otley and Skipton were picketed as union members stayed away from their desks in the first of three planned two-day stoppages.

The company said that the majority of its journalists were working as usual and the titles were published as normal.

During the strike action talks between the company and members of the NUJ continued in an effort to resolve the dispute, but no agreement was reached.

The NUJ initially asked for a £2,000-a-head pay rise, while Newsquest (Bradford) offered a two per cent increase.

The chapel has since reduced its claim to £1,500 and dropped demands for higher mileage rates and extra holidays as a “conciliatory gesture”.

Members are also threatening to walk out on February 10, 11, 19 and 20 unless an agreement is reached, and have also voted to add a further day of strike action, on February 21.

Newspapers affected include the Telegraph and Argus, Keighley News, Ilkley Gazette, Craven Herald and Wharfedale Observer.

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