Journalists in Cheshire and Merseyside have started two days of strike action over job cuts being implemented by Newsquest.

Members of the National Union of Journalists have begun the industrial action in response to compulsory redundancies at five Newsquest North-West titles.

Titles affected are the Warrington Guardian, Northwich Guardian, Sale and Altrincham Messenger, St Helens Star and The Wirral Globe.

The journalists staged one day of strike action in September but a second day was cancelled when the company made the redundancies earlier than expected.

The action was in response to the company announcing seven jobs would be axed because of the economic downturn.

It is believed that four people have been told they will face compulsory redundancy and the others are set to go are on a voluntary basis with one reporter leaving to work on another newspaper.

The union claims the company have carried through most of the job losses previously announced but there are a number of appeals against the redundancies still to be heard later this week.

Chris Morley, NUJ northern and midlands organiser said: “Chapel negotiators held last gasp talks with management yesterday to try to prevent this action but it was clear the company had no real intention of trying to understand, never mind meet, the chapel’s desperate concerns.

“Our members have been resolute in not only seeking to defend colleagues but also the quality newspapers and websites they produce and they are prepared to make this sacrifice to underline to the company that its ruinous cost-cutting cannot continue. The strike is absolutely solid.”

The chapel wants the company to enter into talks with the union on how to deal with the new workloads if the redundancies are carried through in full. The union wants to prevent breaches in the Working Time Directive and reduce health and safety risks.

Group editor for the titles Nicola Priest had not commented at the time of publication.