First National paper strike for 18 years

It looks now highly likely that tomorrow will see the first national newspaper strike for 18 years.

Workers at Express newspapers will walkout in the first of three 24 hour stoppages tomorrow after printers rejected ae 3% pay increase.

According to media Guardian

Express Newspapers has released a statement to editorial staff defending its handling of pay negotiations and saying it regrets the "extreme measure" of industrial action

According to Press Gazette

NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: “Our members are standing firm in their resolve to fight for a fair deal. This strike is about low pay and broken promises. It’s incredible that management at Express Newspapers are forcing their journalists into taking this action.

For today's journalism students,national newspaper strikes are unknown but the industry suffered from a wave of industrial arrest during the 1970's and early 80's.

In 1955 all papers were off the stands for a month after a maintenance workers strike.The Times failed to appear for 11 months at the end of the 70's.

Strikes became rare after Murdoch's move to Wapping and Eddie Shah's new business practices.By 1989 all the main papers had moved out of fleet street