Members of the National Union of Journalists will hold two 48-hour strikes in the coming weeks over a continuing pay freeze, it has been announced.
The union says members at Newsquest Southampton will take part in strike action on 9-10 November and on 16-17 November.
On the first day of the strike, they will protest outside a Press Complaints Commission open day event in the city, which will be attended by Baroness Buscombe, chair of the PCC and Ian Murray, editor of the Southampton-based Southern Daily Echo.
Journalists at Newsquest titles in Hampshire voted earlier this month to take part in strike action over the company’s continuing pay freeze.
Titles potentially affected by the action include the Southern Daily Echo, Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser.
The union is calling on Newsquest management to fairly reward dedicated and hard-working staff.
It comes after recent publications of the company’s accounts showing one director received a pay rise of 21.5pc last year.
Newsquest chief executive Paul Davidson had not responded to requests for a comment at the time of publication.
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I understand the reason for the strike is that Newsquest has torn up the house agreement, which has been in place for many years. I wish those who withdraw their labour all the best.
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I hope this serves as a stark warning to the clowns in charge of Newsquest: a pay rise for all staff or lots more of this. Newsquest truly are the worst company to work for. And since £££ is the only thing that makes them tick, hitting them where it hurts like this is the only way to deal with this type of scum.
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Good luck with the strikes, guys. I’m sure you’d rather not have to go down that path, but management have been taking the proverbial for so long that it’s about time they learnt that you have to be taken seriously, for the professionals that you are, and treated with respect, not contempt. Sock it to ’em!
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