Police intervened after a man shouted at journalists striking at the Manchester Evening News (MEN) offices in Chadderton.
Striking journalists were said to be ‘stunned’ at the development.
Greater Manchester Police said the man was taken to hospital for mental health reasons.
National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members at Reach Plc, which owns more than 200 regional papers in addition to the MEN, Daily Mirror, and Daily Express, have been picketing to demand more pay.
The union says the cost of living crisis and rising inflation contributed to their decision to strike.
The Oldham Times is owned by rival company Newsquest.
MEN staff have been picketing outside the company’s printing press, which is located on Hollinwood Avenue.
This is the picket at the @MENnewsdesk office in Chadderton this morning. We are asking for a fair pay deal for our journalists 💪 #NUJReachStrike pic.twitter.com/IR0KPRjeEb
— MEN Chapel (@MEN_chapel) August 31, 2022
The strike took place after branches of the union rejected an offer of a three per cent or £750 guaranteed minimum pay rise.
According to those striking, a man started screaming in the faces of those at the picket.
The incident occurred at around 11.30am, after around four hours of picketing.
The man reportedly said: “I’m the king of England, I own this land – you’re all sacked” and “you’ve written about me in your newspaper.”
Strike action was called off ahead of the bank holiday, on Friday, August 26, after eleventh-hour talks facilitated by Acas.
However, the strike action planned for today was back on after the talks fell through.
On Twitter, the local chapel of the union thanked Greater Manchester Police officers for supporting them with ‘difficulties on the picket.’
Thanks to @gmpolice for supporting us with some difficulties on the picket this morning. We stand strong 💪
— MEN Chapel (@MEN_chapel) August 31, 2022
According to the NUJ, more than 1,150 journalists across the country took part in today’s pickets, which concluded at 1pm.
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