Journalists voted last week for strike action after failing to reach an agreement over compulsory redundancies.
Paul Holleran NUJ Scottish organiser, said: "Our members have had enough of the extremism of this management. Despite massive profits they keep seeking cuts. They have gone too far this time in selecting fine, experienced journalists for compulsory redundancy when they are aware that a dozen or so others with similar skills are seeking voluntary redundancy deals in other parts of the building."
The journalists at the three titles as well as at Caledonian Magazines will walk out on Friday in what could be the first strike in Scottish newspapers in 25 years.
In response to the vote for strike action, that saw 73% of those voting back action, Newsquest issued a memo that said the negotiating rights of the National Union of Journalists had lapsed.
"The NUJ negotiating rights to deal with the Herald & Times Group on behalf of the workforce have now lapsed. The situation has arisen through no fault of the company's and, indeed, we were actively seeking discussions with the NUJ but sadly they failed to take up any of the opportunities to meet following initial talks many months ago.
"We remain surprised given it was the NUJ’s desire to renegotiate the House Agreement [concerning pay and employment conditions] that led to their decision to jointly serve notice with the company on the existing agreement on November 21 last year."
The memo went on to say that despite Newsquest's "best endeavours" the NUJ had forfeited its role to deal formally with the company on a number of issues, including: hours, holidays or pay; health and safety; and HR policy consultation.
Holleran said: "We will do whatever is required to stop this dreadful behaviour and that includes striking, legal action and political pressure through an inquiry into their misleading assurances to the Competition Commission when they took over four years ago."
The NUJ said that other industrial planned would include a work to rule. The Evening Times has already been hit as staff withdraw good will.
Paul Holleran NUJ Scottish organiser, said: "Our members have had enough of the extremism of this management. Despite massive profits they keep seeking cuts. They have gone too far this time in selecting fine, experienced journalists for compulsory redundancy when they are aware that a dozen or so others with similar skills are seeking voluntary redundancy deals in other parts of the building."
The journalists at the three titles as well as at Caledonian Magazines will walk out on Friday in what could be the first strike in Scottish newspapers in 25 years.
In response to the vote for strike action, that saw 73% of those voting back action, Newsquest issued a memo that said the negotiating rights of the National Union of Journalists had lapsed.
"The NUJ negotiating rights to deal with the Herald & Times Group on behalf of the workforce have now lapsed. The situation has arisen through no fault of the company's and, indeed, we were actively seeking discussions with the NUJ but sadly they failed to take up any of the opportunities to meet following initial talks many months ago.
"We remain surprised given it was the NUJ’s desire to renegotiate the House Agreement [concerning pay and employment conditions] that led to their decision to jointly serve notice with the company on the existing agreement on November 21 last year."
The memo went on to say that despite Newsquest's "best endeavours" the NUJ had forfeited its role to deal formally with the company on a number of issues, including: hours, holidays or pay; health and safety; and HR policy consultation.
Holleran said: "We will do whatever is required to stop this dreadful behaviour and that includes striking, legal action and political pressure through an inquiry into their misleading assurances to the Competition Commission when they took over four years ago."
The NUJ said that other industrial planned would include a work to rule. The Evening Times has already been hit as staff withdraw good will.
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