Journalists at Newsquest's Darlington titles vote for strike action
Journalists at Newsquest titles in Darlington have voted for strike action in protest at plans by the group to move editorial production to Newport in Wales, which will result in redundancies.
Action: The Northern Echo is heavily affected by Newsquest plans
Ten full and part-time sub-editing jobs and a writer’s job at the Northern Echo would be axed if Newsquest’s plans go ahead. On Friday, the NUJ announced that members had voted by 75 per cent in favour of strike action and 93 per cent in favour of action short of a strike.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “This is a very strong vote for action, which reflects the attitude of the staff, and I expect the chapels in York and Bradford to follow suit.
“Newsquest, an American-owned company, clearly has no loyalty to its readers or staff. Local papers should be produced in the heart of the communities they serve, not 200 miles away in another country.”
Jane Kennedy, assistant organiser for the Northern and Midlands region, added: “The callous way this has been handled has left hard-working and dedicated journalists feeling as if they are no more than numbers of a balance sheet.
“The strength of the result shows that they wanted their voices to be heard loudly and clearly that enough is enough. We look forward to the ballot results in York and Bradford next week and have every confidence that they too will produce a yes vote.
Newsquest’s Darlington titles are the Northern Echo, Living magazine, Darlington & Stockton Times, Durham Times, Advertiser series and Northern Farmer.