THE DEAL...
...The strike at Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers (North) - part of
Guardian Media - is over. Here are the details of the settlement.
...The new starting rate for trainees is £13,060 - a rise of 24.5 percent on
the previous minimum, and a rise of more than 8 percent on the previous rate
for graduates with pre-entry qualifications.
...Trainees in their second year will receive £14,255 - a rise of at least 5
percent.
...Trainees will also receive a one-off payment of £280.
...Seniors in Oldham and Salford will receive parity with the rest of the
group - a rise of 10.3 percent- plus a one off payment of £350.
...Seniors in the rest of the group will receive a rise of 2.5 percent plus
the one off payment of £350.
...A new senior grade will be introduced taking the maximum wage for people
below the rank of deputy editor to over £19,000 - a rise on the maximum if
7.4 percent.
...The payments will be backdated to January 1 - even in Oldham and Salford
where the previous pay date was April 1.
...A re-grading exercise will take place with any rises implemented by
October 1.
...Meal allowances will rise by five percent.
...The company have promised a one-off payment of £200 next year on top of
any negotiated pay rise.
...Greater Manchester Weekly Newspapers (South) - papers in Stockport,
Tameside, Macclesfield etc - will receive parity with the northern group.
That means a rise of at least 10.3 percent plus the one-off payments
backdated to April 1.
...The NUJ - which was de-recognised during the dispute - has been
recognised again.

WELL DONE...
...The 29 strikers have been magnificent. Send congratulations to
 badlypaid@hotmail.com
...Thanks to everyone who sent money, messages of support, took part in
demos and lobbied Guardian Media.

MORE INFO...
...Visit www.nuj.org.uk