WORKERS TAKE MORE ACTION...
...National Union of Journalists members employed on one of Guardian Media's
weekly newspaper groups are to strike tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday over
low pay and union recognition.
...It is the second in a series of strikes by journalists at Greater
Manchester Weekly Newspapers (North) who earn between £10,500 and £17,000.
The maximum wage for anyone below the rank of deputy editor is about the
same as a McDonalds trainee manager on their first day in work.
...Union members are so cross that the company is refusing to talk to them
without pre-conditions that they have voted to strike for seven more days.
That means the next stoppage will last from Tuesday April 30 to Wednesday
May 8 inclusive.
...On the day the NUJ announced a 100 percent vote for a strike in a secret
ballot the company responded by de-recognising the union. Despite the
liberal pretensions of the Guardian group the firm are refusing the talk to
the union unless industrial action is suspended.

WHAT YOU CAN DO...
...The next strikes are tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday. Feel free to join
our picket lines from 8am outside the Rochdale Observer, Middleton Guardian,
Salford Advertiser, Oldham Advertiser, Heywood Advertiser, Rossendale Free
Press and Accrington Observer.
...On Wednesday (April 24) we will be holding a demonstration outside
Guardian Media's office at the Manchester Evening News, Deansgate,
Manchester, from 1pm. Please come - even if it is only for a few minutes -
and bring your union banners.
...The union members urgently need money to sustain the action. Please urge
your union branch to hold a meeting and agree to make a donation to the
strike fund. Organise a whip round. Cheques should be made payable to "GMWN
NUJ Fund " and sent to 22 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JQ. Individual
donations are also welcome however small.
...Please write to the company. A NEW MODEL LETTER is attached. Please
email it to Guardian writer Hugo Young at  hugoyoung@compuserve.com and/or
Guardian editor  alan.rusbridger@guardian.co.uk. They are both NUJ members
and on board of the Trust which runs the company.
...Send messages of support and congratulation to the chapel at
 badlypaid@hotmail.com
...Boycott Guardian Media's daily titles - the Guardian, Manchester Evening
News, and Reading Evening Post on strike days.

MAY DAY MAY DAY
...As May 1 is a strike day we are planning a protest outside the Guardian's
main office on Farringdon Road in London from 9am. The main TUC-backed
London May Day event starts at noon. Participants are being asked to meet at
Farringdon tube which is just down the road from the Guardian. The strikers
are asking protestors to visit the Guardian demo before going on to the main
event.

THANKS...
...To everyone who supported the picket line and has sent money and
messages.

MORE INFO...
...Visit www.nuj.org.uk or the chapel's website at
 http://badlypaid.tripod.com/gmwn/index.html

CONTACT US...
...Contact Sue Orton or I in the NUJ Manchester office by phone on 0161 834
0240, by fax on 0161 832 8196, by email on  nujmanchester@nuj.org.uk , by
post at 22, Swan Street, M4 5JQ, or on my mobile 07764 614203.