National Union of Journalists members across the country are being urged to dig into their pockets to help striking journalists in Leeds.

The Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post journalists have so far lost up to 13 days of pay in their continuing dispute with managers over plans for 18 compulsory redundancies.

Now the union is calling on NUJ chapels across the country to hold weekly collections for the strikers.

The appeal went out to members today in the names of general secretary Jeremy Dear and president James Doherty.

“We are calling on every member to back the action taken by the workers in Leeds as they defend both jobs and a quality product of which they were once proud,” they said.

“Branches have already been generous in their support, but we are calling on chapels – many of which will already be feeling the threat of cost-cutting and profiteering by management – to make collections, on a weekly basis, to ensure victory for our colleagues in Leeds.

“Don’t worry if you can’t afford much – it all adds up.

“A victory in Yorkshire will send a clear message that the NUJ will not stand for compulsory redundancies – and will always fight against the propaganda and profiteering which threatens our industry.”