BOSSES at Al Jazeera English have agreed to enter pay talks after journalists at the Qatar-based news broadcaster announced strike action.

The journalists, represented by media unions Bectu and the NUJ, will strike next Wednesday in protest at being denied a pay rise for four years.

They argue that this represents a 9 per cent pay cut in real terms.

However, management have now agreed to meet the workers with the involvement of arbitration service Acas to seek an agreement.

A joint union representative said: “We are committed to making every effort to find a resolution to this dispute.

“We are hoping that, after more than three years of negotiations, Al Jazeera management will come to Acas this time with a pay offer that adequately recognises the hard work of their staff.

“But members are totally united in their determination to press ahead with the planned industrial action if no such offer is forthcoming.”