Journalists at the Irish Independent group have instructed the National Union of Journalists to hold a strike ballot if the company does not enter into "meaningful negotiations" on pay and the implementation of "family friendly" policies. The decision was taken at a mandatory chapel (section) meeting yesterday.
Journalists were told the company, Independent Newspapers Ireland Ltd, wanted to conclude negotiations with unions directly involved in the move to the new Citywest printing plant next November before discussing the NUJ claim. The company indicated that when talks did take place it would be seeking a return to a five-day and five-night week, reduced mileage allowances and the introduction of a lower-paid trainee grade.
The company's human resources director, Mr Declan Carlisle, said last night that the NUJ had put a set of proposals, to which the company had responded through established procedures. He did not wish to comment further at this stage. The NUJ's Irish organiser, Mr Seam us Dooley, was also unwilling to comment beyond saying that members were "taken aback" at management's response.
