Manchester Evening News journalists are voting whether to strike over plans to introduce a morning edition.
The launch has been postponed for a month while union representatives negotiate with management. Strike ballot papers were issued on Tuesday and on Wednesday NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear was involved in talks between staff and management.
According to management, the morning edition is being introduced to compensate for possible late delivery during a period when printing presses are being renewed.
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More than half of the paper’s 100 journalists have begun grievance procedures as a result of the proposed change. Union representatives have opposed the move because it would require more weekend and evening working.
Evening News NUJ mother of chapel Judy Gordon said: “The chapel is adamant that it doesn’t want to work these changed shifts. We are having difficult but constructive talks.”
MEN editor Paul Horrocks said: “We are continuing to have talks with the NUJ and we are hopeful of a resolution, which will see a morning edition commence on 1 November.”
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The result of the strike ballot is expected to be known on 31 October.
By Dominic Ponsford
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