GPMU members of the Trinity Mirror-owned Derry Journal have voted for strike action to gain wage parity with their Trinity Mirror colleagues in Belfast.


The union claimed that Belfast employees earned up to 3,000-4,000 more per annum.
It also said the company was cashing in on Derrys depressed jobs market.


Ulster Counties branch secretary Andy Snoddy said the grievance had been brewing for a couple of years, since Trinity Mirror took the plant over.


It had added edge because Journal printers, who also print the Daily Mirror in Northern Ireland, had achieved massive increases in productivity without any extra money.
Snoddy said workers had voted 40 to eight in favour of industrial action, after being offered a wage increase of only 2.5% this year.


Industrial action was likely to take the form of an initial one-day all-out strike, although he stressed members would prefer to reach a settlement.
We want the company to make a sensible offer and stick to it, he said.


Taking strike action is the last thing our members wish to do. Even at this late hour I would appeal to them to enter into talks. But we are left with no alternative if the company wont enter into serious wage negotiations.


Trinity Mirror was unavailable for comment as PrintWeek went to press.