Journalists at Thomson Reuters are to stage a 48-hour strike – the first in more than 25 years – after being awarded a below the rate of inflation pay rise of 1.75 per cent.
The strike action, supported by 83 per cent of the NUJ members, will start at one minute past midnight on Thursday, February 9th and end at midnight on Friday, Feb 10th.
This action coincides with the release of Thomson Reuters earnings.
NUJ chapel officers, Mike Roddy and Helen Long said: “We tried very hard to reach a settlement with management but the company's refusal to improve its below-inflation offer of 1.75 per cent, which follows years of effective pay cuts, has compelled Thomson Reuters journalists to vote overwhelmingly for strike action for the first time in more than 25 years.
"Thomson Reuters must shoulder the responsibility for this dispute. The company ignored repeated warnings that members had reached a tipping point, after years of below inflation pay rises, combined with rising costs, that are pricing many members out of their jobs.
"Those with families who cannot afford to live in London are especially feeling the pain as they are forced to commute into the capital on the most expensive train lines in Europe. We hope management will now listen to its journalists and return to the table with a sensible offer to avert a costly strike.”
Barry Fitzpatrick, NUJ deputy general secretary, added: “This strike is about fairness. The management is proposing a below-inflation pay deal, while holding back money for a merit scheme. This is just not on. While our members struggle to make ends meet on their wages, the management should be putting all the money into an across the board pay increase.”
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