Six features writers’ jobs have been saved at a daily newspaper after union bosses threatened strike action.

According to the National Union of Journalists, Newsquest has confirmed to the entire features team at Glasgow-based daily The Herald that they will now not be made redundant.

HTFP reported last week that The Herald had made the move as a result of what it called the “irreversible impact” of the pandemic on newspaper sales, with the cost-of-living crisis also affecting both subscriptions and one-off sales.

Members of the NUJ chapel for The Herald, as well as its Newsquest sister titles the Glasgow Times and The National, subsequently voted in favour of striking in an indicative ballot.

But the union has now confirmed this afternoon that a planned further ballot has been called off after Newsquest Scotland managing director Graham Morrison, pictured, informed the affected staff in an email that their jobs were safe.

Newsquest will hold discussions with the features writers in regard to current vacancies and realigning content, the NUJ says.

John Toner, NUJ national organiser for Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Newsquest has listened to the NUJ chapel and that these six highly-respected writers are no longer facing redundancy.

“We now look forward to talks with the company about how our members’ undoubted skills can be deployed.

“As a result of this decision, we have called off our ballot.

“It is important to emphasise the principled stand taken our members, who were and remain unquestionably committed to resist compulsory redundancies if and when necessary.

“The NUJ has reason to be proud of them.”

Newsquest declined to comment when approached by HTFP.