Journalists working for a group of weekly newspapers have voted unanimously in favour of strike action.

National Union of Journalists members working at Bullivant Media have backed the plan, as well as voting in favour of industrial action short of a strike.

All 17 members balloted supported both actions.

The recently-formed NUJ chapel at Bullivant revealed last week it would be holding the vote over “pay, potential job losses and working practices”.

Titles affected include the Coventry Observer, Leamington Observer, Rugby Observer, Stratford Observer, Solihull Observer, Redditch Standard, Bromsgrove Standard, Worcester Observer and Evesham Observer.

In a statement, the chapel said: “This emphatic ballot result sends a clear message to the company that it needs to respond speedily to our reasonable demands for fair pay and working practices, and to rule out any compulsory redundancies in future.

“We have said throughout the dispute that we recognise the tough trading climate due to the Covid-19 crisis. But unsafe workloads and unreasonable working practices have been heaped on journalists, and there has been little goodwill or attempt to seek agreement.”

Chris Morley, pictured, NUJ Northern and Midlands senior organiser, said: “The chapel is united and determined to make sure members are protected against unfair working practices and job cuts and that in future wages are paid as they should.

“We hope the company will now sit down and discuss a positive way forward for the business and our members in a calm and reasonable way.”

HTFP has approached Bullivant Media for a comment.