The nine striking National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members at North London and Herts Newspapers Group were issued with a written warning of possible redundancies.

The journalists were handed letters on Monday night before the strike began yesterday until Tuesday 3 May, to warn staff of impending redundancies.

The strike is a result of a third of staff having left the newspaper group, some in key positions, without new staff bring brought in to replace them.   

Barry Fitzpatrick, head of publishing at the NUJ said that the dispute was not one that should be taking place and that the business should rely on quality journalism and have sufficient staff to produce its titles, should it wish to survive.

“We are concerned that management is responding to a serious issue by making an apparent threat of redundancies at this late hour. This approach is not addressing the issues at the heart of the dispute, which are non-replacement of staff and the quality of local journalism,” said Fitzpatrick of the letters.

“Certainly, management’s action can only make matters worse," he added.

Labour MP for Edmonton, Andy Love has also offered his support to the journalists.

North London & Herts Newspapers publishes nine titles;  The Enfield Advertiser, The Edmonton Advertiser, The Winchmore Hill Advertiser & Herald, The Enfield Gazette, The Barnet &Potters Bar Press, The East Barnet Press & Advertiser, The Edgware & Mill Hill Press, The Hendon & Finchley Press and The Haringey Advertiser.