Members of the National Union of Journalists employed by Newsquest Bradford, which includes the Keighley News, are to stage a series of strikes in pursuit of a 7.5 per cent pay increase.

The action, which involves a half-day and two full-day stoppages, is due to start next week.

Newsquest Bradford managing director Tim Blott said: "The company has put forward a perfectly reasonable pay offer of 2.5 per cent, which is well ahead of the current rate of inflation.

"This has already been accepted by the majority of our staff and indeed other trade union members from the print union.

"It also reflects the fragile nature of the local economy in Bradford, which has been hard hit by the recent race riots and the aftermath of September 11.

"The company has already increased its pay offer from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent. The journalists have not moved from their insistence on a 7.5 per cent increase.

"Newsquest Bradford was one of the first regional newspaper publishing companies to voluntarily re-recognise the National Union of Journalists for collective bargaining.

"It is therefore very disappointing that the reaction from the union is strike action in support of an unrealistic pay demand at a time when job losses are widespread across the media industry."

Speaking for the NUJ, Bob Smith said: ""The 7.5 per cent rise we are seeking would still only go half-way to bringing our members up to the national average."