Journalists at The Observer and parent paper The Guardian have voted to strike in protestat the plan to sell The Obs to James Harding’s Tortoise Media.

This represents a large hiccup to Tortoise, an embarrassment to The Guardian bosses and potential amusement to the rest of us.

Tortoise’s bid is based on it having £25 million to invest in The Observer, the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper, over five years.

Even if that were enough – £5 million a year is not that much – questions remain about whether Harding has this money, or just believes he can get it from investors.

Harding and co talk to the press sometimes, but not much to me, so I don’t know what the situation is with the cash. (Harding sends polite emails; he’s very well brought up.)

What seems clear is that The Guardian has admitted it wants rid of The Obs, which leaves it in a difficult position should the deal fail.

That looks likely at this point, which might well be a shame. You can understand why hacks are angry, and still think they might find a better future under new owners.

To be clear, a strike is a last option.

We are a way off that. If there were industrial action, it would most likely start with a work-to-rule, which might be enough.

The word internally is that some section editors have been asked if they would sign a pledge not to strike.

None of them have, so far as I know, but if they did that would presumably mean they’d have to cross picket lines to enter the offices near King Cross.

Which raises all sorts of possibilities, some of them funny.

When Rupert Murdoch shoved his reform of the printing industry past the inkies at Wapping in 1986, the strike action was lengthy and vicious.

Battle buses were used to get the so-called “scabs”, those who carried on working, into work. Violence, and threats of it, were common.

In the battle of King’s Place, one assumes section editors would arrive on armoured Bromptons, as they are pelted with rotten avocados and quinoa salads.

Meanwhile, strikers will sip £7 cappuccinos to keep warm, because the union has voted against using fossil fuels for heating.

You could sell tickets for this and perhaps save The Observer in the process.

Were I at The Guardian, I think I’d be torn on the strike. On the one hand a few days off while I show solidarity for my colleagues sounds alright.

On the other, since I’m from Nottingham, crossing a picket line just comes naturally.

The miner’s strike I am referencing was one of the bitterest, most divisive work disputes in UK history.

People are still making TV dramas based around it.

The battle of King’s Place may not hold the attention for so long.

But expect rival media groups, especially those owned by Rupert Murdoch, to have as much fun as they can at The Guardian’s expense.

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