JOURNALISTS at the Guardian and Observer newspapers are to ballot on strike action over plans to sell the Observer.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the union has not been consulted about the proposed sale and that an indicative ballot had shown overwhelming support for strike action.

The two newspapers are owned by the Guardian Media Group (GMG), which is negotiating with Tortoise Media over the proposed sale. GMG is owned by the Scott Trust.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “The hurried decision to pursue talks without prior engagement with the very journalists who ensure the title’s success is shocking and ill-judged, but reps are committed to resolving the dispute and stress there is still time to avoid industrial action.”

She called for the talks to end and for the Scott Trust “to demonstrate its commitment to the Observer.”

GMG chief executive Anna Bateson said previously that the proposed sale “provides a chance to build the Observer’s future position with a significant investment.”