Members of the chapel voted overwhelmingly in favour (90.5%) of the strike action and action short of a strike (95.2%) on the grounds that the company had introduced another pay freeze.
The industrial action will consist of a two-weeks work to rule, starting on Monday 30 January followed by three days of strike action starting on Monday 13 February.
The NUJ claims staff were due a pay rise in January this year but were told this would not be given and would be reviewed again in June, without any guarantee that any pay rises will be given then.
If no pay awards are made in 2012 the NUJ says it will be the third year in four that Newsquest journalists’ salaries have stood still.
Sally King, MoC of the Newsquest South Essex chapel, said: "No one wants to take this action. It is a reflection of the deep disappointment and genuine concern about their ability to pay bills that members feel, that they voted this way.
"By freezing pay - and even when a rise is offered keeping it well below inflation - it seems members of staff are being penalised for their loyalty.
"The chapel is also disappointed to hear management has told non-unionised members of editorial team at the Echo and its sister papers, the Colchester Gazette, Thurrock Gazette and Chelmsford and Brentwood Weekly News, that they will be awarded overtime payments for working 10-hour shifts during the strike action."
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