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October 4, 2012updated 05 Oct 2012 2:30pm

Bradford journalists vote for industrial action over pay freeze

By Andrew Pugh

Newsquest journalists at the Bradford Telegraph & Argus have opted to  follow the lead of their colleagues in York by voting for industrial action in response to a company pay freeze.  

On Tuesday NUJ members at Newsquest’s York titles voted for industrial action in the form of a one-hour mandatory chapel meeting at 4pm tomorrow after Newsquest (Yorkshire & North East) figures revealed it made a pre-tax profit of £1.87m in the 2011 financial year, but journalists were told there would be no pay rise.

“The vote in favour of industrial action by members at Newsquest Bradford is an indication of the anger and frustration felt by journalists who have had their pay frozen for three of the past four years,” said Bradford Father of Chapel Bob Smith.

"The company locally made pre-tax profits of £1.87m last year, while group directors were rewarded with performance-related pay totalling £268,000 at a time when editorial bosses tell us our company is not hitting financial targets,” he added.

“It’s time for Newsquest to stop punishing its staff and start investing in its most valuable asset: the journalists who create the content without which there is no business."

Chris Morley, NUJ Northern & Midlands Organiser, said: "Newsquest is beginning to face a revolt among its staff who have been asked to accept a pay freeze while the company makes good profits and its American shareholders prosper.”

Other publications in the Newsquest Bradford portfolio that could be see industrial action include the Ilkley Gazette, Keighley News and Wharfedale & Airedale Observer.

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