Informed
n e w s
f r o m
t h e
n at i o n a l
e x e c u t i v e
issUe 5 aPRiL 2014
nUJ fUtURe
DM changes
fighting for tomorrow’s
journalism today
mark Dimmock
this edition of nUJ
informed updates members
on decisions made by
delegates at the union’s
decision-making conference
#nUJDM14
nuJ members representing
branches throughout the union
took part in debates on motions
that set the work and campaign
priorities for the next two years.
news of the positive impact
the recovery plan – endorsed
at the delegate meeting in
2012 – has made on union
finances was welcomed by
delegates, although the decline
in membership numbers means
that more effort is needed
to improve retention rates
and recruit new journalists to
the union.
the clear message throughout
the conference was that more
members would strengthen
the impact of the nuJ as an
independent, collective voice for
journalists and journalism.
in her opening speech, nuJ
nuJ membership
changes to nUJ rules were
agreed affecting the union’s
membership structures and
eligibility to join the nUJ.
this ensures that membership is
available to journalists,
photographers and creative artists
working editorially in newspapers,
magazines, books, broadcasting,
public relations and information, and
electronic media; or as advertising
and fashion photographers,
advertising copywriters, editorial
computer systems workers; and as
teachers of journalism and nuJ
officials.
Full membership is now available
to journalists who have no other fulltime job and make at least half their
earned income from their work, or
those journalists seeking asylum in
the uK or ireland.
general secretary, michelle
stanistreet, said: “the recent
labour force survey suggests
there could be as many as
70,000 journalists working in the
industry in the uK. Do the maths
and there are 40,000 reasons
to be cheerful about where our
future could be headed if we all
work together to secure it.”
the introduction of online
joining, making it easier for
journalists to join the union, has
made a positive impact, with
new members joining at a rate of
around 40 per week compared
to 23 per week prior to the new
website’s launch but membership
remains in decline and the union
needs every member to help.
Temporary membership is
available for new entrants, or people
returning to journalism without any
other full-time paid work.
Associate membership now
covers journalism students, student
media workers, retired members,
community journalists and those
who carry out work that shows a
commitment to journalism and trade
unions.
DM DeciDes
no more DGs and changes
to membership subs
following a lengthy debate delegates
voted to abolish the post of deputy
general secretary (Dgs) and review
nUJ staffing.
Delegates also agreed an increase in union
subscriptions – the new rates will be Grade 1:
£15 (€18) per month; Grade 2:
£18 (€23) per month; Grade 3: £25 (€31)
per month, subject to the existing rule that
no member should pay more than 1 per cent
of their income in union subs.
if you want any assistance to help recruit and
explain nuJ eligibility, membership types and
costs then training and support is available.
Please email requests to: [email protected]
2 Informed
announcing the new nUJ nec
the union’s national executive council (nec) is a key decision-making body for
the union, it meets regularly and ensures DM motions are carried out as well
as the nUJ’s other priority issues.
members of the nec include the union’s general secretary who is the union’s chief
executive officer, running the union on a day-to-day basis. the president, vicepresident and honorary general treasurer are members of the nec and are known
collectively as the national officers. the nec is made up of a range of allocated seats
from different sectors and geographic locations to ensure the diversity of views and
experiences of the membership are represented at the highest levels. all members
of the nec sit on one of the nec sub-committees: policy committee, development
committee or finance committee. here are the new nec members, their term of office
runs until the next Dm in 2016.
general secretary
Michelle stanistreet
E: [email protected]
nUJ President (job-share)
Books
andy smith
E: [email protected]
nUJ President (job-share)
north east england with Yorkshire
and the humber
adam christie
E: [email protected]
nUJ Vice President
freelance
tim Dawson
E: [email protected]
nUJ honorary general treasurer
east anglia
John Barsby
E: [email protected]
Broadcasting (job-share)
adam Bowen
E: [email protected]
Broadcasting (job-share)
tory Blair
E: [email protected]
Black Members
arjum Wajid
E: [email protected]
Disabled Members
Mike smith
E: [email protected]
Magazines (job-share)
Liz else
E: [email protected]
Magazines (job-share)
alan gibson
E: [email protected]
newspapers and agencies
hélène Mulholland
E: [email protected]
Photographers (job share)
simon chapman
E: [email protected]
Photographers (job share)
Pete Jenkins
E: [email protected]
PR and communications
anita halpin
E: [email protected]
new Media
Donnacha DeLong
E: [email protected]
continental europe
Philip hunt
E: [email protected]
Informed 3
London
alex MacDonald
E: [email protected]
London
Bonnie newman
E: [email protected]
London
fiona O’cleirigh
E: [email protected]
London
simon Vaughan
E: [email protected]
north West england
chris frost
E: [email protected]
Midlands (job-share)
Diana Peasey
E: [email protected]
Midlands (job-share)
John O
E: [email protected]
northern ireland (job share)
eamonn Mccann
E: [email protected]
northern ireland (job share)
Bob Miller
E: [email protected]
Republic of ireland
Barry Mccall
E: [email protected]
Republic of ireland (job-share)
Paula geraghty
E: [email protected]
Republic of ireland (job-share)
emma O’Kelly
E: [email protected]
scotland
James Doherty
E: [email protected]
scotland (job share)
Pete Murray
E: [email protected]
scotland (job share)
John Matthews
E: [email protected]
south east england
Jim Boumelha
E: [email protected]
south east england
David campanale
E: [email protected]
south east england
sian Jones
E: [email protected]
south West england
tim Lezard
E: [email protected]
Wales
Paul scott
E: [email protected]
4 Informed
DM gig
a show on the road for mark thomas
mark Dimmock
after a brilliant performance at DM,
comedian and nUJ member – or,
according to the police, “domestic
extremist” – Mark thomas needs union
help for a new project. Mark launched
the nUJ campaign to expose police
monitoring of journalists and he plans to
take the message around the UK.
in exchange for the gig at Dm, the union
promised to help collect money to put the
show on the road. Branches and chapels can
donate funds or sponsor a gig, and ask other
unions and trade councils to do the same.
if you want to get involved, contact the
campaigns and communications department:
[email protected]
DM gOLD
DM hOnOURs
two irish members
and Mr copyright
Delegates paid tribute to the work
of three nUJ members who have
shown outstanding commitment
and service to the union, awarding
eddie Barrett, Mike holderness and
Mary Maher membership of honour.
as a journalist at the irish times,
mary maher set and broke records,
returning after maternity leave and
continuing to work after getting
married. she smashed glass ceilings
using determination, good humour and
dedication to the nuJ.
eddie Barrett has been a journalistic
and trade union pioneer, working
tirelessly for decades on behalf of the
nuJ and at the same time remaining
an influential and respected figure in
the media industry and trade union
movement.
mike holderness has spearheaded
new technology in the union,
responsible for the launch of the
freelance website and the monitoring
and promotion of nuJ rates for the
Job. mike is renowned for his expert
skills on copyright. all three members
were congratulated for showing an
inspirational commitment to the nuJ.
mark Dimmock
Gold badge
members
the contribution of four other members
to the union were also recognised by
the nUJ honours committee – the body,
elected from the nec, which considers
nominations for the membership of
honour and gold badge awards.
Glasgow branch stalwart val mcnulty,
netherlands activist and former branch chair
Guy thornton, leeds branch member and
press freedom campaigner Granville williams,
and former sunderland, shields and hartlepool
branch treasurer Bob horn – who sadly
died earlier this year – were all awarded gold
badges in tribute to their dedicated service to
the nuJ.
Informed 5
DM eqUaLitY
nUJ ResOURces
nUJ continues fight
for equality
the UK government’s attacks on the
equality act were roundly condemned
at DM, and the go-ahead was given to
a co-ordinated campaign to fight off
further attacks on equality, to continue to
challenge racism and inaccurate, negative
stereotypes in the media. the union’s
existing policy on abortion and the
right to choose was reaffirmed, with
agreement to circulate guidance to
members on the importance of ensuring
fair and free reporting.
Dm acknowledged that a well-rounded
media reflects the demographics of its
audiences. women are generally underrepresented as media experts and
spokespeople in the news. nuJ members can
assist by ensuring they encourage women
to put themselves forward as experts and to
ensure their details and areas of expertise
are made available to journalists. Journalists
can also assist by looking further than their
“usual suspects” when they need comment
on issues. the nuJ is planning work with
other organisations and existing campaigns to
increase the number of women featured.
essential
resources and
support
if you want to raise issues with
the nUJ then please contact
your local union representative,
an nec member, nUJ office
or official.
to order copies of the nUJ
booklets/posters available on
bullying and harassment email:
[email protected]
check out nUJ resources and
guidance online:
http://www.nuj.org.uk/about/
nuj-resources/reps-resources
nUJ information about stress
and mental health:
http://www.nuj.org.uk/rights/
health-and-safety/stress-andmental-health/
tUc health and safety
information:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/
workplace-issues/health-andsafety
Union reps tUc resources:
http://www.unionreps.org.uk/
DM heaLth anD safetY
union launches new campaign
on stress and wellbeing
the enormous and growing problems
related to health, stress, bullying and
harassment were evident in the number
of motions tabled at the delegate meeting
this year.
the union was congratulated on the work
done to date to highlight the problems of
bullying and harassment, including the
evidence supplied to the leveson inquiry and
BBc Dinah rose review.
Delegates agreed to tackle this growing
scourge, making them a key industrial priority
in the months ahead with a union-wide stress,
mental health and wellbeing campaign.
overwork, bullying, low job control and
satisfaction, job insecurity, new ways of
working, poor work organisation and pace
of work can all cause stress. too many
workplaces have an unhealthy environment
exacerbated by the relentless cost cutting
and job cuts. many nuJ members face long
hours at work, constant intensive working
and excessive workloads, creating a toxic mix
that can lead to physical and mental health
problems.
the campaign will include an online survey
of all members, a wellbeing week of action and
the production of an nuJ
stress-busting programme
that will be
presented to
employers.
ictU health and safety
information:
http://www.ictu.ie/
healthandsafety/
UK health and safety executive:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/
scottish health and safety
executive:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/
scotland/
Welsh health and safety
executive:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/welsh/
irish health and safety
authority:
http://www.hsa.ie/eng/
6 Informed
DM theMe
DM inteRnatiOnaL
nUJ policy
on the
Middle east
Delegates backed the Palestinian
journalists’ petition calling for
freedom of movement and
recognition of press cards.
the israeli authorities continue to
reject media accreditation and press
cards, including the ifJ’s press card,
when carried by Palestinian journalists,
preventing them from accessing areas
where news events are taking place and
limiting their ability to do their jobs.
Delegates overwhelmingly opposed
a motion calling for a boycott of israeli
goods and support for the Boycott,
Disinvestment and sanctions movement.
sign the petition for Palestinian
journalists freedom of movement:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/
Freedom_of_Movement_for_Palestinian_
Journalists/?copy
Remembering
Mordechai Vanunu
Dm was reminded of the case of nuJ
member of honour mordechai vanunu
recognising his suffering in the cause of
freedom of information at the hands of
the israeli authorities.
sign the petition for Mordechai
Vanunu:
https://www.causes.com/
actions/1765266-a-petition-to-worldmedia-and-israel-we-are-not-free-untilvanunu-is-free
safety is a union priority
In Mortal
Danger
Journalists & Media Staff Killed in 2013
INCLUDES IFJ INTERNATIONAL
SAFETY FUND REPORT
DM gUest sPeaKeR
the nuJ in
parliament
Jeremy corbyn MP spoke at DM on behalf
of the nUJ’s cross-party parliamentary
group. he outlined the work done since
the last conference and explained how
the nUJ’s key priority campaigns had
been promoted in parliament, including
the fight to introduce a conscience clause
for journalists with a lobby of parliament
and other events about the Leveson
recommendations, efforts to support
UK journalists arrested in the wake of
the hacking scandal and proposals on
press reform.
he also highlighted the union’s international
solidarity campaigning in response to the
closure of the Greek broadcaster ert, the
detention of journalists in egypt and turkey
and congratulated the union on its successful
campaign to get trade union recognition at
al Jazeera.
the critical issue of the safety of
journalists was a key theme across
different debates. the international
federation of Journalists’ safety fund
was established in January 1992 and has
become internationally recognised as an
important source of support for journalists
under threat.
it is the only international assistance fund
for journalists established by journalists and it
is an integral part of the programmes of work
that include personal cases, campaigns, the
provision of information and reports.
the fund was designed to provide
assistance for journalists injured in the line of
duty or to assist families when a relative has
been killed. Dm agreed to raise the profile of
its work and to encourage members to offer
support. if you want to collect donations for
the ifJ safety fund, be a workplace health and
safety representative or raise safety concerns
then please email: [email protected]
mark Dimmock
Informed 7
DM DeManDs
DM infORMatiOn
Know your rights
Dm demands improvements
on pay and conditions
employment rights information
can be found on the tUc
worksmart website:
http://www.worksmart.org.uk/
everyone is entitled to join a
union and union members come
together in branches and
chapels. Union representatives
campaign and negotiate on
behalf of their union members.
Many of the nUJ debates were about the
need for fair pay and better conditions
in the media industry. the union will
continue to campaign for better wages,
equal pay and challenge low pay building
momentum for the Britain needs a
Pay Rise demonstration this October
organised by the tUc.
Delegates passed motions criticising
Jobsbridge (the workfare scheme for
journalists in ireland), exploitative internships
and the curse of unpaid work for freelances.
Delegates gave examples of employers
continuing to exploit staff and cut staffing
levels by using new ways of working, more
closures, subbing hubs and user-generated
copy. further campaigns on pay and
conditions at work were given the green light
and there was agreement on a call for a cap
on top earnings at the BBc.
collective bargaining is the
term used to explain the
process of negotiations
between media employers and
the union on conditions of work.
collective bargaining covers
workers employed by a specific
company and can focus on
employment standards, pay,
cuts, working hours and
conditions.
if the union is recognised, the
employer must provide certain
information about the company.
if collective bargaining leads to
an agreement, for example
about a pay increase or changes
in working conditions, it is
called a collective agreement.
DM stRategY
new developments at DM
the average trade union
member in the private sector in
the UK earns £53 a week more
than workers who are not
members of unions and pay
growth has just about caught up
with cPi inflation (1.7 per cent)
according to Ons statistics. the
real value of private sector
earnings is now holding steady
against this measure for the first
time in several years, rather
than continuing to fall.
collective bargaining can win
results for nUJ members.
DM passed a motion calling for a commission to be set up to look at new legislation
to protect individuals and organisations against unnecessary state surveillance. DM
also called for the development of a new strategy on local tV involving Ofcom and the
federation of entertainment Unions.
DM MatteRs
more representation now
the nUJ does not merely
negotiate to enforce existing
rights – it campaigns to extend
the rights of workers and trade
unions.
mark Dimmock
agreement was given to a rule change
that will enable the newly-established
Photographers council to submit motions
to future delegate meetings and send two
delegates to DM.
the results of the elections for a range
of union committees and councils were
announced at the end of Dm – further details
are available on the website, which is currently
being updated with contact details and listings
for all the union’s councils and committees.
conference reaffirmed the union’s commitment
to encourage more members to get involved at
all levels of the nuJ, including the Dm standing
orders committee.
Informed 8
DM ReLatiOns
mark Dimmock
nUJ campaigning alliances forged
Delegates agreed to campaign against
the British government’s austerity
measures and join forces with the
People’s assembly.
other campaigns were agreed, including
developing work with trans media watch, and
backing calls for a public inquiry into black
deaths in police custody. Dm agreed to call on
the uK Prime minister to establish a full public
enquiry into all the documents and events
relating to india in 1984, including the amritsar
massacre.
support was also extended to the orgreave
truth and Justice campaign.
People’s assembly against austerity:
http://www.thepeoplesassembly.org.uk/
trans Media Watch:
http://www.transmediawatch.org/
Orgreave truth and Justice campaign:
http://otjc.org.uk/
DM cOMMs
the more the better
More people took to twitter
this year to report on,
comment, follow and retweet
what was happening at DM.
since the last conference
two years ago there has
been an increasing presence
for the nUJ online and DM
agreed to continue to use
social networking as a way of
promoting the union’s vast and
varied work.
Delegates debated the union’s
communications, including
coverage of the nuJ’s work in
the Journalist – agreeing that
obituaries should also feature
in the magazine, not only on
the website, at the same time
as reaffirming the editorial
independence of the magazine’s
elected editor.
Read the magazine
archive online: http://
www.nuj.org.uk/about/
the-journalist-magazine/
Read nUJ obituaries
online: http://www.nuj.org.uk/
about/nuj-obituaries/
nUJ news, events
and comment:
final
inal motions agreed at DM will be published in full on
the nUJ website soon.
DM reports online: http://www.nuj.org.uk/about/uniondemocracy/nuj-delegate-meeting/
nUJ news: http://www.nuj.org.uk/news/
nUJ events: http://www.nuj.org.uk/events/
nUJ comment: http://www.nuj.org.uk/discuss/
nuJ informed is published after each national executive council meeting to keep
chapel and branch reps informed of key decisions of the union’s elected nec.
any questions or comments can be emailed to [email protected]