NUJ members at Express Newspapers have called off planned industrial action after an agreement was reached to avoid further compulsory redundancies and outsourcing of editorial content.
Following the announcement of plans to axe 55 jobs and outsource the Express's city department, business and travel desks, the NUJ claimed that 75.8 per cent of its members who voted were in favour of strike action and 89.3 per cent were in favour of action short of a strike.
But a two-hour stoppage planned for tomorrow (Friday) was called off after management agreed it would only lbe seeking 10 further voluntary redundancies – bringing the total to 32 – and that any further outsourcing of content would not go ahead without prior consultation with the union.
The chapel this afternoon passed a resolution stating: "This chapel agrees to suspend its industrial action in light of the statement from management which agrees to no compulsory redundancies and no further outsourcing of editorial.
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"This chapel condemns the actions of management during this cost cutting exercise which has caused considerable stress and anxiety especially for members in targeted areas."
No one was available for comment at Express Newspapers.
Since 2000 when Richard Desmond bought Express Newspapers for £125 million, there have been successive cuts while Desmond paid himself up to £1 million a week.
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Group editorial director of Express Newspapers Paul Ashford previously spoke of "very difficult market conditions" and "unprecedented competition not only from other newspapers, but also from free sheets and electronic media".
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