Journalists agree to end work-to-rule

Journalists at Independent Newspapers have agreed to lift a work-to-rule protest imposed last month in pursuance of a long-running…

Journalists at Independent Newspapers have agreed to lift a work-to-rule protest imposed last month in pursuance of a long-running pay claim.

Members of the company's NUJ chapel voted by 71 to 59 in favour of suspending the protest from 7.30 a.m. on Monday.

The journalists had been refusing to co-operate with the introduction of new colour designs and picture technology linked to the company's new printing facility at Citywest in Dublin.

The ban had affected the Sunday Independent and the Irish Independent but not the Evening Herald.

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The Irish organiser of the NUJ, Mr Seamus Dooley, said the vote "ends the impasse and enables the union and management to get down to discuss the substantive issue of the productivity claim".

The Labour Relations Commission is to facilitate a meeting between union representatives and management on Monday. The union is seeking an improved offer on pensions and pay. Mr Declan Carlisle, human resources manager at Independent Newspapers, said he was "delighted" with the journalists' decision to return to work. Another spokesman for the company said the decision would mean the first full-colour edition of the Irish Independent should be printed next week.

The lifting of the industrial action follows the resolution of a dispute between management and SIPTU workers at the company. Strike notice had been served last month, but was lifted when SIPTU members agreed to management proposals on pay and benefits for clerical and administrative staff.