Journalists from across Trinity Mirror’s regional newspapers will take to the streets on Thursday, just as the company announces its latest profit figures.

With massive profits at regional titles expected when the company publishes their annual accounts on 3rd March, journalists across the UK will leaflet town centres and urge local MPs and business and community figures to publicise the NUJ’s Fair Pay at Trinity Campaign.

NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, said: “On Thursday we are striking a blow against the hypocrisy of a company which will celebrate its huge profits whilst many of its journalists continue to suffer from appallingly low pay.

“If profits are in line with last year, Trinity Mirror will make upwards of £500,000 profit today alone whilst some of its senior journalists will have earned less than £37.

“These are people who have passed exams, often have a degree and sometimes a postgraduate qualification and have two years experience - yet all Trinity Mirror think they are worth is £37 a day.

“In real terms that means some Trinity journalists are earning at least £8,800 less per year than the average rate of equivalent graduates in other professions. This race to the bottom has to stop and companies need to build success on quality and professionalism not low pay and long hours”.

Jeremy has also written to Sly Bailey, the Trinity Mirror Chief Executive, urging her to act on behalf of journalists “who contribute so significantly to the success of the company…and are seeking a five per cent rise.

“Meeting such a claim would go a long way towards restoring morale, addressing low pay and rewarding staff who have helped make 2004 another good year for Trinity shareholders”.

Thursday’s protest is one of a series organised by the NUJ as part of the union’s campaign to highlight low pay in the media industry and to raise minimum rates.

In the past three years the campaign has succeeded in achieving an average 20 per cent increase in the starting rate for trainees in the five largest regional newspaper groups.