Telegraph journalists have voted to go on a three -day strike.
The NUJ chapel met today and decided to go ahead with strike action after an official ballot – which concluded last week – found 76 per cent of NUJ members who voted had said yes to possible strike action.
The strike is in protest at 54 compulsory redundancies and at changes to work practices associated with the move to Victoria and the creation of a 24-hour multimedia newsroom.
Staff are understood to be particularly concerned at the imposition of Saturday working for all sub editors and early morning starts for reporters.
Some 276 NUJ members were eligible to vote in the ballot, of which 114 did so and 85 said yes to a possible strike. According to Telegraph Group management the company has 465 full-time journalists.
Today's vote was 89 in favour of strike and 13 against. The strike is start on November 14 and all NUJ members will be obliged to take part.
According to the NUJ chapel, the turnout for the strike vote was affected by the fact that the ballot took place in the midst of the office the move to Victoria.
A Telegraph management spokesman said after the ballot : “Our move has now been successfully completed, and 465 full time journalists are now working in one of the most modern newsrooms anywhere in the world. There were 54 job losses in this area as a result of the integration of our business. However, those affected left on generous terms – and there was only one appeal against a decision."
In 2005, the Telegraph Group chapel voted in favour of strike action following 90 editorial redundancies – but then it backed down after concessions were made by management.
Telegraph Group NUJ father of chapel John Carey said last week: “Throughout the last ten months, ever since the move to Victoria was announced, the company has completely ignored the proper consultation process laid down both in law and in our house agreement as regards job cuts and changes in working practices – and its is continuing to do so.
“This is a management which has shown complete contempt to its work force – the very people on whom it relies to makes its revolution work.”
The Telegraph's new hub newsroom layout is pictured.
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