Journalists at Reach, the national newspaper company which owns The Dumbarton Lennox Herald, Daily Record and Sunday Mail, have rejected an offer of 3 per cent/£750 minimum.
They got only 1 per cent last year and in the past 12 months have taken on a huge amount of change, with many of them being required to work from home as Reach closed many of its offices, plus meeting new, challenging targets.
An NUJ spokesperson said: “To add insult to injury they have seen their two top executives be given £7m pay packages and a £14m half-year dividend go to shareholders. It just seems that when it comes to the journalists, there’s no money to be found.
“The strikes will take place in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland on national titles such as The Mirror, Express, Daily Record, Sunday Mail, Western Mail and Irish Star and the regional titles including the Manchester Evening News, Liverpool Echo, Bristol Post, Birmingham Mail, The Journal, South Wales Evening Post and the Live websites.
“Instead of whipping up fear amongst staff about job cuts, and intimidating staff by telling them their share scheme entitlements will be withdrawn if they take part in strike action, the company should be engaging in negotiations and trying to resolve this dispute.”
She added: “Your support and solidarity messages will be a huge boost. If you can, go along to your nearest picket line and say hello – you will be warmly welcomed.
“If Reach wants quality journalism, it is going to have to offer quality wages, particularly as we hit these unprecedented hard times as inflation soars and the cost-of-living rockets.
Support
- Send a message of solidarity to the strikers, tagging @NUJofficial and using the hashtag #NUJReachStrike.
- Visit your local picket line: you can find your nearest on the NUJ website or contact campaigns@nuj.org.uk
- Send a personal or branch letter to your local MP: find a template on the NUJ website, and explain why your local journalists deserve better.
Online strike day rally
Come along at 2pm-3pm on Friday 26 August and show your support to Reach journalists. Hear news from the picket lines and for those strikers based at home it’s a chance to get involved. Speakers include C, and members of the NUJ’s Parliamentary Group. Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83138425318?pwd=eWsxSlZLZXpQK2NpbXg4Q0VTcnE5dz09
News
- Catch up on latest news: NUJ Reach strikes
- Ballot result: NUJ members at Reach to strike over pay dispute
- Message to management: Reach journalists call for company bosses to reinvest their excessive pay deals to fund a fair wage for staff