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Strike ballot to be held after bonus payment row

Union members at a regional daily have confirmed they will ballot for further strike action following a row over bonus payments.

Yesterday it emerged staff from the Southern Daily Echo who crossed a picket line to work while members of the National Union of Journalists were on strike have been given bonus payments.

Around 75pc of the editorial staff have taken part in two 48-hour strikes, the latest of which was last week, in a dispute over Newsquest’s continuing pay freeze.

Editor-in-chief Ian Murray sought to defend the bonus payments, saying those who did not take part in the two strikes had carried out extra duties and worked extra hours.

But the NUJ chapel said its pay dispute with management could have been ended if this money had been distributed evenly among all staff.

It is one of a number of chapels currently balloting or having voted for strike action, which could lead to a nationwide walkout on 6-7 January.

Mr Murray declined to comment on the latest strike ballot.

5 comments

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  • December 16, 2010 at 10:23 am
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    Best of luck to the potential strikers. Thank you to the NUJ for helping us fight our corner.

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  • December 16, 2010 at 2:53 pm
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    Best wishes from the North-East. To quote a popular phrase: we ARE all in this together.

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  • December 16, 2010 at 3:47 pm
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    I wish these journos all the luck in the world but fear that strikes will get them nowhere except just even more hard-up.

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  • December 16, 2010 at 4:17 pm
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    Realist, you are right, but to do nothing just condemns everyone to their fate. Journos are better off at least going out with their heads held high. I feel for those with families, but anyone single and with little to lose should throw themselves at this with everything they have. They’ll end up on the scrap heap regardless, so they may as well show some cojones. I’m speaking as someone who just can’t find work after being made redundant, but at least I don’t have to put a second’s more graft in for such hideous bosses and companies. If you live nearby, show your support.

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  • December 16, 2010 at 5:05 pm
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    Well said, Harold. I was made redundant by Newsquest nearly 2 years ago (after more than 30 years of 50-hour-plus weeks, unpaid overtime, unsocial hours, forfeited holidays etc.) and have been unable to find anything since. I was one of those with family commitments who thought if I just kept my head down and kept working I’d be alright – more fool me! Wish I had gone down with my head held high, I couldn’t have ended up any worse off than I did. I received my redundancy letter on Christmas Eve informing me that I should not bother returning to work and would be paid 3 months salary in lieu of notice as senior management did not want disaffected soon-to-be former employees hanging about the place! (Is that Newsquest speak for thank-you for all your hard work and loyalty over the years?)

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