Journalists at Independent Newspapers have rejected a new pay agreement because it contains no increases above those provided for in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Members of the National Union of Journalists' chapel (section) voted by 89 to 56 to reject the proposals in a 65 per cent turnout.
Afterwards, the NUJ's national organiser for Ireland, Mr Seamus Dooley, said the outcome was "not entirely surprising because of resentment in the chapel that such a successful and profitable company is not prepared to entertain a major pay increase for its journalists".
He added that the timing of the ballot, during the release of bumper half-year returns which saw pre-tax profits rise by 22 per cent, had also affected the vote.
The managing editor of Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, Mr Michael Roche, said afterwards the company was disappointed at the vote and "somewhat bewildered" by it. While he did not elaborate, it is understood that he was referring to the failure to vote of many younger staff journalists, who stood to gain most from the agreement.
He said the company entered into negotiations with the NUJ "in good faith, at their request, using their chosen outside facilitator to process their claim". Management was disappointed that only 65 per cent of journalists "exercised their right to vote. The company had no intention of deviating outside the terms of the PPF" and "no new offer will be made".
Although the company did not offer any pay rises above those in the PPF, it is prepared to introduce indexation of pensions and phase out a two-tier salary system for journalists.