Some Reuters journalists to strike next week

Josh Halliday of The Guardian writes that some Reuters journalists in London will go on a 48-hour strike next week.

Halliday writes, “Barry Fitzpatrick, deputy general secretary of the NUJ, said: ‘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.’

“NUJ members at the news agency last threatened to strike in 2008 and 2009 over job cuts and working conditions following the merger of Reuters and Thomson.

“Stephen Adler, editor-in-chief of Reuters News, said: ‘We have been informed by the NUJ that approximately 150 of our staff members are being called upon to strike on Thursday 9 February and Friday 10 February. We regret to hear this and have put in place contingency plans to ensure that Reuters continues to deliver the quality journalism that our customers rely on during this period.

“‘We respect the right of our colleagues to engage in this job action as part of the bargaining process and look forward to welcoming them back to work on their next work day.'”

Read more here.