Stuff journalists plan to stop work

Stuff journalists who are members of the E tū union have rejected a pay offer from the company and voted to take industrial action.

It is understood that about 185 journalists who are union members have agreed to stop work two hours before their shifts would normally end on two days this week, and to hold a 24-hour strike next week.

The union has been seeking minimum pay of $55,000 a year, a switch to a system that would normally see journalists automatically progress to a higher level on a pay scale each year, and a minimum 7.25% pay rise to match inflation except on any sum earnt over $100,000 a year.

It is understood the company has agreed to the first two demands and offered a pay rise that for E tū members would average out at 7%, with larger rises strongly weighted towards those on lower pay.

Stuff chief content officer Joanna Norris said shortly after 2pm on Monday that it had not been formally notified of the ballot outcome, but was keen to resume negotiations. ‘‘We believe the salary increase we have tabled is in line with offers accepted by journalists at other media organisations.’’

It could be ‘‘challenging for our operations’’ but Stuff would continue to deliver relevant and trustworthy journalism whilst the union took action, she said.