30th Aug 2022 06:28
(Alliance News) - Journalists at newspaper group Reach PLC may strike on Wednesday after negotiations ended without agreement.
Members of the National Union of Journalists had been engaged in talks with Reach, which includes mastheads the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and Manchester Evening News.
A Reach spokesperson said in a statement: "Over the weekend we have been in discussions with the NUJ in hope of avoiding industrial action, but unfortunately these talks have ended without agreement."
"We were able to meet the majority of requirements put forward by the NUJ and proposed an accelerated career development framework that would have set out clearer salary progression for journalists, so we are disappointed that our offer was rejected.
"We remain open to talks at any time to resolve this dispute and to begin to deliver these substantial improvements for our journalists.
"Our priority continues to be to protect the interests of all our colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring the group has a sustainable future in the face of an uncertain economic backdrop."
A strike planned for last Friday was postponed after the NUJ agreed to enter into immediate negotiations.
Members of the union at Reach titles had voted to walk out on Friday.
On Thursday evening the NUJ accepted a proposal by the company to enter into immediate negotiations, which were to be overseen by Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
The union had said the decision to postpone the one-day strike was agreed by Reach chapel representatives from across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and if the negotiations did not reach a successful conclusion a walkout planned for Wednesday will go ahead.
The members also agreed to strike on September 14 and 15, with the union saying they voted by 79% in favour of strikes and 88% for other forms of industrial action, on a turnout of 70%.
By Benjamin Cooper and Andrew Quinn, PA
source: PA
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