Management at Independent Newspapers claims that journalists are in breach of agreement because of their decision to withdraw their goodwill from the company's plans to introduce "live colour" to its newspapers.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Union of Journalists last Tuesday, called to review a revised pay offer. The offer was unanimously rejected.
The company's human resources manager, Mr Declan Carlyle, has written to the Labour Relations Commission stating that a joint management-union referral of the current dispute - due to be heard on December 11th - has been compounded by the refusal of NUJ members to carry out normal duties, "post-referral". As a result, the company would not be proceeding with the joint referral to conciliation, as per the existing house agreement.
The journalists believe that instead of the LRC meeting dealing with the revised pay offer, discussion will now centre on their alleged breach of procedures.