Northants Journalists Stage Strike Action

Journalists in Northamptonshire have walked out on strike over pay.

Reporters working for the Northamptonshire Telegraph downed their pens today to take to a picket line outside their office in Kettering.

Reporters striking in Kettering today  Pic: NUJ

The members of the National Union of Journalists are asking for a ‘fair’ pay rise from publisher National World, who also own the Harborough Mail and Northamptonshire Chronicle and Echo.

Today’s action has seen walkouts at some of the group’s other offices across the country, after members rejected a 4.5% pay increase earlier this year.

Laura Davison, NUJ national organiser, said: “We know National World can afford to revise its pay package for staff, ensuring journalists can afford to remain at the jobs they rightly take pride in.

“The sustainability of local journalism requires skilled, talented journalists and with over 100 titles, National World has a responsibility to ensure its staff are paid decent salaries, preventing the financial hardship we know some journalists at the company experience.

“I want to thank every member who is taking part in the action to stand up for their colleagues and campaign for fair pay at National World”

Union members at the Northamptonshire Telegraph are also ‘working to rule’ meaning they will not work overtime, among other stipulations.

National World has declined to comment on the strike.