Union chiefs have urged a regional publisher to return to pay talks after more than 330 journalists completed three days of strike action.

The National Union of Journalists has called for fresh negotiations with National World following the action, which concluded yesterday.

NUJ members at the publisher, who have repeatedly rejected the offer of a 4.5pc pay increase, also walked out on Monday and Friday last week as part of a pay dispute with the publisher.

The union is urging National World to offer an improved pay package, uplifts to minimum rates and efforts to improve pay disparities after talks between the two parties hosted by conciliation service ACAS collapsed earlier this summer.

The picket line in Portsmouth. Credit: NUJ

In a statement, the union said: “Previous action on 18 and 22 September saw support from colleagues and the wider public, on the importance of local journalism and the need for fair pay. The NUJ has urged National World to return to negotiations with an offer that settles the dispute and recognises the contribution of journalists at the company.”

Picket lines were set up in areas served by National World titles including Belfast, Edinburgh, Kettering, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield and Sunderland.

An anonymous striking Portsmouth News journalist said: “The newsroom is on our third strike day and National World is refusing to budge. All they have done is make generic front pages and put their heads in the sand.

“We will never stop until we get a fair pay offer. We value high quality journalism, and National World’s actions show that they don’t. Stop insulting the people of Portsmouth by not supporting our paper. Get round the table and start talking.”

HTFP has approached National World for a response.