A second 24-hour strike which had been due to take place today at newspaper publisher Newsquest’s Glasgow operation today has been called off at the 11th hour after both sides agreed to talks.

More than 140 members of the Unite trades union, which includes print workers, went on strike on 6 May in protest against a second year of wage freezes.

Although the stoppage coincided with election day, production of Newaquest’s Glasgow titles, which include The Herald and the Evening Times, was not affected.

The union had planned a further stoppage tomorrow, but this was called off yesterday morning.

Regional officer Norman King explained: “We have suspended the action and we’re going to sit down and talk with the company next week.

“We are hoping that these talks will be meaningful. It has got to be hopeful that we are actually talking,” he added.

No one from Newsquest Glasgow has made any comment other than to confirm that the industrial action had been called off.

Herald and Times Group MD Tim Blott has previously spoken of his “deep disappointment” at the 6 May stoppage and said he was “committed to review salaries as and when trading improves.”

Comments

John Paul (19/05/2010 16:27:58)
Have the whole board of KM directors and senior managers had a pay freeze as well, to show that if one hurts, all hurt?

John Paul (19/05/2010 16:29:51)
Sorry, that should be Newsquest. Just been reading the piece about KM centralising subbing, so a bit of a freudian slip. Bit like Newsquest directors and managers if they haven’t had a pay freeze.