Journalists were today striking over pay at Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers in the first of six planned days of action.

A chapel meeting of the National Union of Journalists last night confirmed the action, which will affect the northern division comprising the Rochdale Observer, Heywood Advertiser, Middleton & North Manchester Guardian, Rossendale Free Press, Accrington Observer, Oldham Advertiser, Rochdale Express, Moston, Middleton & Blackley Express, Salford Advertiser, Prestwich Advertiser, Asian News and Car Search.

NUJ members were not satisfied with this year’s original pay offer of 1.7 per cent and they are the staff set to strike. After talks with the union, the company offered a 2.5 per cent increase, which was rejected.

They chose today and tomorrow to take action because deadlines fall across the group on Tuesday and Wednesdays. The same days for the following two weeks are also due to be affected.

The vote last night was by 17 votes to 6 in favour of a strike – a gain of one vote in favour from the original strike ballot among the 30 NUJ members.

The company employs around 60 journalists at its various offices.

Centres in Oldham, Salford, Rossendale, Rochdale, Accrington, Middleton and Haywood were due to be picketed today with NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear planning to visit staff at Rochdale to show support.

The move comes on the back of recent action over pay and conditions by NUJ members in other parts of the country, which has been labelled a success by the union.

Miles Barter, regional NUJ spokesman, said the company had already agreed a pay rise for its southern division, to bring it up to the levels of staff in the northern division, which had resulted in a 10.3 per cent pay rise for the lowest paid journalists.

But he said pay levels in its northern sector, which published ten newspapers, were still too low, and added: “We have put in a pay claim of 7.5 per cent.”

He said he was still hoping for a solution without taking further action – and a series of letters had passed between the two sides.

An offer from the company to work through the conciliation service ACAS had not worked out.

A statement from Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers on the action was expected today.

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