National World journalists set for a five-day strike over pay
The National Union of Journalists has formally notified National World of unprecedented strike action by journalists as members walkout for a week, from 23 to 27 October.
The National Union of Journalists has formally notified National World of unprecedented strike action by journalists as members walkout for a week, from 23 to 27 October.
National World reported £9.3m in operating profits last year and with £10m in cash balances, the NUJ believes it can take action to address pay issues and disparities, uprating pay grades to address concerns.
The company’s £11m cash acquisition last month of Midland News Association and Press Computer Systems - providing technology solutions to publishers, means its annual revenue is expected to exceed £100m. Despite this, calls by journalists and MPs for National World to offer its staff a decent wage have been met with resistance as the company’s leadership fails to engage in negotiations with the NUJ.
Industrial action by NUJ members across the UK and Ireland follows historic three-day companywide action last month, as journalists opposed a below-inflation 4.5 per cent pay award imposed.
The union is calling on National World to return to talks with an increased pay package to settle the dispute.
Public support for journalists has grown, with dismay at the £1.4m payout to shareholders as those producing valued news content struggle to meet financial commitments worsened by their real terms pay cut. The union’s petition calling on National World to offer a fair pay rise has also amassed hundreds of signatures.
The impact of further strike action has been described by the NUJ as considerable, likely to leave communities with outdated news as National World replicates campaigns across titles, as it did during walkouts in September.
Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said:
"The decision to take further strike action has been a difficult one for our members at National World who desperately wish the company’s leadership would engage with the NUJ to reach a fair settlement. The resilience displayed by journalists is rooted in their belief that changes must occur at the company to address flawed approaches to pay. No journalist should be forced into seeking a second job to make ends meet, and we remain open to talks encouraging the company to rethink its position, seeking solutions that bring an end to the dispute.”
Information on picket locations and times will be published in the coming days on www.nuj.org.uk/nationalworldstrike
Solidarity for National World journalists: messages of support.