Journalists at Northern Ireland's top-selling daily newspaper today went on strike for the first time in 20 years.
Staff at the Belfast Telegraphstaged industrial action in a dispute over pay. Sister title the Sunday Lifeis also set to be hit by the 48-hour walkout, which began at 3.00 a.m.
The industrial action comes after the journalists rejected a 3 per cent pay offer. They are seeking parity with their colleagues in Dublin.
Both the Belfast Telegraphand the Sunday Life, which are part of Sir Anthony O'Reilly's Independent News and Media group, were expected to be published as normal, management said.
But NUJ spokesman Mr Des Fagan said: "There is not a Belfast Telegraphreporter in the building and backing for the stoppage is solid across the editorial floor."
He called on management to take up the union's offer of arbitration through the Labour Relations Agency.
"They are claiming in public that it's 'business as usual' while repeatedly warning employees of severe damage to the titles from the industrial action," he said. "If the company are so confident of their position, why are they running away from talks?"