York

NUJ journalists at local newspapers The York Press and The Gazette and Herald of Malton have begun a 5-day walk-out over below inflation pay rises and continually worsening pay conditions. The strikers are demanding a 3.5% pay increase, in line with the offers made to journalists at other UK local newspapers owned by the same company, US media giant Gannet.

Sam Southgate reported on thisisyork.co.uk that about 30 collection drivers and some other staff staged the wildcat strike at the firm's Leeman Road base, at about 3.10pm yesterday, to support their work-mate.

The three-hour stoppage caused disruption to parcel collections from post offices and Royal Mail's business customers.

Nestle has threatened to move more production out of York if unions do not agree to a 15% reduction in wages for its remaining workforce after announcing last month that it was axing 645 jobs and moving some production to other factories in the UK and Europe.