National Union of Journalists members at the Bolton Evening News have announced plans to boycott late shifts at the paper in protest at changes to working patterns.

The Newsquest-owned paper began printing overnight in July, meaning that some staff now have to work until 11.30pm.

But union members say they are unhappy with the £10 late shift allowance currently being paid to staff working past 9pm, and are calling for this to be “at least doubled”.

They have now voted for industrial action and an indefinite boycott will begin on September 4 unless a deal between the union and management can be reached.

Talks between the union and management at the Bolton Evening News are continuing.

Bolton and Bury NUJ father of chapel David Thomson said: “We have further talks with management penciled in for next Friday afternoon.

“We are unhappy with what has been offered.”

If industrial action goes ahead, union members say they will revert back to their old shift patterns, which would see the vast majority of staff finishing by 6pm.

Bolton Evening News editor Steve Hughes declined to comment.