Nearly 80 journalists across the North of England will be balloted for industrial action over plans to axe 14 sub-editors with the creation of a centralised unit.

The National Union of Journalists revealed last week that Newsquest wanted to transfer the production of weekly titles in Darlington and York to Bradford over the next six months.

Under the plans, production of the free weekly papers, along with the paid-for weeklies and magazines, would be centralised at unit in Bradford where four new roles would be created.

Now the union says its members in Darlington, Durham, Northallerton, Bishop Auckland and York will take part in a ballot for action which closes on 3 May.

The NUJ claims its request for region-wide consultation on the proposals with Newsquest management was turned down and is calling for discussions to take place.

NUJ Northern and Midlands organiser Chris Morley said: “Newsquest needs to convince us, their staff and in all probability themselves, that this plan can work but management has shied away from that debate.

“At some point Newsquest will have to stop the cuts and start taking all their staff with them – in all senses of the words.

“Journalists at Newsquest have endured a series of damaging job cuts and illogical centralisation of editorial production through schemes which are destroying the quality of their newspapers and reader confidence. The affect on the morale of dedicated professional journalists has been shocking.

“So, the decision to vote on industrial action was inevitable following the latest attack on jobs and security by this discredited management. The NUJ is ready to defend our members and quality journalism with fierce determination.”

Under the plans, sub-editing of the daily papers, York’s The Press and The Northern Echo, would remain at their existing locations.

Newsquest chief executive Paul Davidson was not available for comment at the time of publication.