It's like a bloody colander at the BBC these days - leak, leak, leak...
We hear now that managers are being asked to spy on their staff to find out who might have another job to go to so they can avoid making those people redundant and thereby avoid having to pay them any money.
Some might say that managers would be better deployed making programmes or delivering quality content instead of being forced to act as glorified snoops.
Basically they are saying that if whilst living in fear of the BBC's big axe you get off your arse and try to sort out a future for yourself then you run the risk of getting no redundancy pay - even though they'd planned to make you redundant.
Isn't it time the person thinking up these hare-brained ideas got another job?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Resisting the threat to journalists
Last night I issued a statement on behalf of the union after another journalist in Northern Ireland was targeted by paramilitaries - this time the Red Hand Defenders.
Death threats against Robin Livingstone, the editor of the Anderstown News, were sent to broadcaster UTV.
Robin is just one more journalist the paramilitaries are trying to silence. We will never forget the killing of NUJ member Martin O'Hagan - it is the sixth anniversary of his murder today and we continue to campaign for action against his killers. Earlier this year, away from the glare of publicity, the union was able to secure entry to the Key Persons Protection Scheme for another member under serious threat.
Now all civil rights and media freedom organisations must make sure they do all they can to pressure the police and authorities to enable Robin to carry on his work as a journalist in safety. We often think of journalists safety only being an issue in countries like Colombia and the Phillipines. It is an issue much closer to home too..
Death threats against Robin Livingstone, the editor of the Anderstown News, were sent to broadcaster UTV.
Robin is just one more journalist the paramilitaries are trying to silence. We will never forget the killing of NUJ member Martin O'Hagan - it is the sixth anniversary of his murder today and we continue to campaign for action against his killers. Earlier this year, away from the glare of publicity, the union was able to secure entry to the Key Persons Protection Scheme for another member under serious threat.
Now all civil rights and media freedom organisations must make sure they do all they can to pressure the police and authorities to enable Robin to carry on his work as a journalist in safety. We often think of journalists safety only being an issue in countries like Colombia and the Phillipines. It is an issue much closer to home too..
Thursday, September 27, 2007
More leaks from the BBC
Following hot on the heels of Tuesday's leaked email in which Peter Horrocks, the head of BBC television news, admits there is strong support for industrial action against proposed cuts at the BBC among assistant editors, more leaks reach the NUJ.
"Many of the ass[istant] ed[itor]s will be militant as they are under threat themselves. "They also apparently feel that, as the BBC has buckled in the past after strike action, there is a strong rationale for protesting in what they see as a noble cause."
Peter Horrocks, BBC Head of Television News
It seems scarcely believable but our sources tell us that senior news managers have been told that by mid October everyone in news will have to write 200 words justifying why they should keep their jobs. The submissions will be considered by a panel who will then recommend who should go in the latest jobs cull, expected to be announced on 18 October.
I hear there are no plans to let people see the panel directly which will be made up of a number of managers. All the proposed cuts will have to be made by March 2008
"This is essentially a mass application process for everyone in news. Managers are horrified but told to make it happen" my source tells me.
Senior BBC executives appear to have the lost the plot entirely. No wonder leaked memos describe middle managers as 'militant' if they are being expected to preside over a mass cull based on a 200-word application judged by a secret panel. It is an astonishing way to run the world's leading public service broadcaster. The BBC need to stop plotting in secret, come clean on their plans and start negotiations with the unions about how best to defend quality and protect jobs in light of the current financial situation. If not they can be guaranteed it won't only be the assistant editors who get militant.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Tackling the two-tier workforce
Today the NUJ hosted a really important meeting to try to develop a co-ordinated unions response to tackle the denial of basic rights at work faced by millions of working people simply because of their employment status.
In our industry all too many employers force people on to casual contracts to avoid obligations under a range of employment laws which in the UK only apply to employees. The government have constantly refused to act to stop the development of this two-tier workforce. Some of the key issues are set out in this speech I gave at a conference on the issue.
The NUJ has taken this new initiative to try to force the debate back up the government's agenda - it is simply unacceptable that freelances and casuals are denied basic rights or that the rights they enjoy are so hard to enforce it costs disproportionate amounts of time and money.
Today I hosted a meeting with representatives from the TUC, 10 other unions and the National Group on Homeworking to plan out some joint campaigning to try to tackle these abuses.
This will be followed up with a meeting of union legal officers to consider any possible joint actions and a seminar later this year. It will all be backed up by drawing together evidence of the scale of the problem across different industries. Armed with that evidence we will take our case to government through the NUJ's Parliamentary Group.
In our industry all too many employers force people on to casual contracts to avoid obligations under a range of employment laws which in the UK only apply to employees. The government have constantly refused to act to stop the development of this two-tier workforce. Some of the key issues are set out in this speech I gave at a conference on the issue.
The NUJ has taken this new initiative to try to force the debate back up the government's agenda - it is simply unacceptable that freelances and casuals are denied basic rights or that the rights they enjoy are so hard to enforce it costs disproportionate amounts of time and money.
Today I hosted a meeting with representatives from the TUC, 10 other unions and the National Group on Homeworking to plan out some joint campaigning to try to tackle these abuses.
This will be followed up with a meeting of union legal officers to consider any possible joint actions and a seminar later this year. It will all be backed up by drawing together evidence of the scale of the problem across different industries. Armed with that evidence we will take our case to government through the NUJ's Parliamentary Group.
Monday, September 24, 2007
What have the Romans ever done for us?
As well as the controversy over the Drogheda Independent the union's National Executive discussed some other key issues for photographers.
It endorsed the union's support for Marc Vallee who is suing the Met over injuries he sustained covering the Sack parliament demo, it heard about the 5.43% pay rise the union had negotiated for staff photographers at The Irish Times and it backed plans to investigate the possibility of a wider claim against the police over use of the Terrorism Act to target media personnel, especially photographers following recent actions at an arms fair.
Credit where credit's due...
pic:(c) Jess Hurd
NEC unites around Drogheda and addresses photographers' fears
Eight and a half hours of debate, discussion, a few laughs and a few raised voices - it's got to be the National Executive Council.
Meeting on Friday the NEC had a packed agenda - central to it the recent controversy over the signing of an agreement at the Drogheda Independent. The agreement has raised fears among some photogrpahers that the union is turning its back on skilled photography simply in favour of reporters carrying cameras. The NEC was clear - it is not true. By 20 votes to 0 NEC members representing people from every sector and geographical area of the union backed the following motion proposed by President Michelle Stanistreet:
"NEC notes the decision taken by the Emergency Committee on 2 August 2007 in regard to the Drogheda Independent agreement. It reiterates the Committee’s complete confidence in all the full-time and chapel officials involved in negotiating the agreement.
NEC acknowledges the fears raised by some members and branches regarding the potential implications of the agreement, in particular on the livelihood of photographers.
NEC welcomes the public commitment of the Chapel, in line with NUJ policy, to protecting the rights of freelances and staff working for the title and assures the Chapel and freelances of the full support of the union in attempts to stop the company introducing measures which undermine the professionalism or terms and conditions at the papers.
The NEC acknowledges the particular circumstances – including the withdrawal of the company from the RNAI and consequent threat to pay and conditions and pensions - of the Drogheda Independent which gave rise to the agreement. It is not intended that Clause 6.1 in its entirety should be considered a model clause. The NEC urges the Commission on Multimedia working to develop a model clause for use in future negotiations taking in to account best practice.
NEC recognises the central role of Chapels in negotiating local agreements and reaffirms the need to ensure new working practices are consistent with the NUJ Code of Working Practices.
The NEC reaffirms the union’s commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of all its members. NEC believes that industrial strength and solidarity between staff and freelances are the key means to protect jobs and terms and conditions for all.
NEC resolves to:
· Carry out a survey on the extent of multi-skilling across the UK and Ireland media industry.
· Organise in conjunction with the Commission on Multi-Media Working, a discussion at ADM on the issue of multi-skilling and defending professional standards in light of the development of new technologies".
A second resolution was also passed:
"The NEC notes that Clause 6.1 of the Drogheda Independent Agreement seeks to ensure that the NUJ will have a direct role in the implementation of new work practices governing the use of digital cameras by reporters. NEC affirms that any model agreement must recognise the vulnerable position of professional photographers in the emerging media landscape."
It's clear that there are many good things about the Drogheda Agreement but there are also some genuinely held fears that it will lead to photographers being kicked out of work and replaced by unskilled professionals. Supporters of the agreement say it won't mean that, opponents say it will. I don't believe it will and I don't believe the union could stand by if any employer tried to do that.
What became clear in the discussion is that all over the place new technology is being introduced and working practices are changing - in some places we have been strong enough to insist it is done on our terms, in some others we have been too weak to have any impact, in the vast majority of cases we have reached a compromise agreement. The reality is that unless we build our industrial strength - both staff and freelances working together - we will not be in a position to secure jobs and terms and conditions no matter how great the model clauses our Multimedia Commission comes up with.
We must use the Drogheda episode to learn that lesson.
Meeting on Friday the NEC had a packed agenda - central to it the recent controversy over the signing of an agreement at the Drogheda Independent. The agreement has raised fears among some photogrpahers that the union is turning its back on skilled photography simply in favour of reporters carrying cameras. The NEC was clear - it is not true. By 20 votes to 0 NEC members representing people from every sector and geographical area of the union backed the following motion proposed by President Michelle Stanistreet:
"NEC notes the decision taken by the Emergency Committee on 2 August 2007 in regard to the Drogheda Independent agreement. It reiterates the Committee’s complete confidence in all the full-time and chapel officials involved in negotiating the agreement.
NEC acknowledges the fears raised by some members and branches regarding the potential implications of the agreement, in particular on the livelihood of photographers.
NEC welcomes the public commitment of the Chapel, in line with NUJ policy, to protecting the rights of freelances and staff working for the title and assures the Chapel and freelances of the full support of the union in attempts to stop the company introducing measures which undermine the professionalism or terms and conditions at the papers.
The NEC acknowledges the particular circumstances – including the withdrawal of the company from the RNAI and consequent threat to pay and conditions and pensions - of the Drogheda Independent which gave rise to the agreement. It is not intended that Clause 6.1 in its entirety should be considered a model clause. The NEC urges the Commission on Multimedia working to develop a model clause for use in future negotiations taking in to account best practice.
NEC recognises the central role of Chapels in negotiating local agreements and reaffirms the need to ensure new working practices are consistent with the NUJ Code of Working Practices.
The NEC reaffirms the union’s commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of all its members. NEC believes that industrial strength and solidarity between staff and freelances are the key means to protect jobs and terms and conditions for all.
NEC resolves to:
· Carry out a survey on the extent of multi-skilling across the UK and Ireland media industry.
· Organise in conjunction with the Commission on Multi-Media Working, a discussion at ADM on the issue of multi-skilling and defending professional standards in light of the development of new technologies".
A second resolution was also passed:
"The NEC notes that Clause 6.1 of the Drogheda Independent Agreement seeks to ensure that the NUJ will have a direct role in the implementation of new work practices governing the use of digital cameras by reporters. NEC affirms that any model agreement must recognise the vulnerable position of professional photographers in the emerging media landscape."
It's clear that there are many good things about the Drogheda Agreement but there are also some genuinely held fears that it will lead to photographers being kicked out of work and replaced by unskilled professionals. Supporters of the agreement say it won't mean that, opponents say it will. I don't believe it will and I don't believe the union could stand by if any employer tried to do that.
What became clear in the discussion is that all over the place new technology is being introduced and working practices are changing - in some places we have been strong enough to insist it is done on our terms, in some others we have been too weak to have any impact, in the vast majority of cases we have reached a compromise agreement. The reality is that unless we build our industrial strength - both staff and freelances working together - we will not be in a position to secure jobs and terms and conditions no matter how great the model clauses our Multimedia Commission comes up with.
We must use the Drogheda episode to learn that lesson.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Get Up, Stand Up....
After a morning spent discussing some outstanding legal cases with the union's solicitors Thompsons, and checking on progress on the the new legal surgeries the union has set up for members, the afternoon was spent working on the Stand Up for Journalism campaign.
The day of action on 5 November is beginning to take shape with chapels and branches planning to physically stand up in their newsrooms to show support for the campaign, with ballots planned over pensions, with recognition claims being prepared, with grievances being lodged -it's clear thousands of journalists will be involved in activity on the day. Evening events in London and a lobby and rally in Manchester will be part of the day's activities.
Even General Secretaries are allowed some time off - and i raced down to White Hart Lane to watch Spurs stuff the not-so-mighty Famugusta 6-1 in the UEFA cup. Them humour of football fans is often underestimated. The area surrounding Tottenham is the heart of the Turkish and Cypriot communities in London. Famugusta's fans were greeted with chants of "you only live round the corner". Ho, ho, ho...
Today it's back to reality and the union's National Executive Council - more of that later...
The day of action on 5 November is beginning to take shape with chapels and branches planning to physically stand up in their newsrooms to show support for the campaign, with ballots planned over pensions, with recognition claims being prepared, with grievances being lodged -it's clear thousands of journalists will be involved in activity on the day. Evening events in London and a lobby and rally in Manchester will be part of the day's activities.
Even General Secretaries are allowed some time off - and i raced down to White Hart Lane to watch Spurs stuff the not-so-mighty Famugusta 6-1 in the UEFA cup. Them humour of football fans is often underestimated. The area surrounding Tottenham is the heart of the Turkish and Cypriot communities in London. Famugusta's fans were greeted with chants of "you only live round the corner". Ho, ho, ho...
Today it's back to reality and the union's National Executive Council - more of that later...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Goodbye..and hello
Today is a sad day as we say farewell to Helen Oswald, our Senior Campaigns and Communications Officer. She's off to join the Arts Council in her home town Brighton. We wish her well. Since joining us a couple of years ago to set up the Campaigns and Communications Department Helen has done a great job - helping to boost our profile, deliver new materials like the reps handbook, equality reps handbook, new recruitment material, NUJ Active, Global Action, a more regularly updated website and new microsites and campaigns like Journalism Matters and the End Low Pay campaign.
I spent the whole day yesterday interviewing for Helen's replacement. We had a really high calibre of candidates but the panel - Barry Fitzpatrick, Michelle Stanistreet and I - were unanimous in our choice. Who is it? I can't tell you yet - it has to be approved by the NEC tomorrow first.
I spent the whole day yesterday interviewing for Helen's replacement. We had a really high calibre of candidates but the panel - Barry Fitzpatrick, Michelle Stanistreet and I - were unanimous in our choice. Who is it? I can't tell you yet - it has to be approved by the NEC tomorrow first.
Is it censorship...?
Any of you trying to get hold of the NUJ over the past 36 hours will have found out our whole email system is down. Whilst it appears liberating for the first few minutes when the emails stop now it's just bloody frustrating. Sorry to anyone who's been trying in vain to get through - we hope the problem will be sorted today. You can get hold of the various NUJ offices by phone too. Contact details are here
The official explanation is 'technical problems' but that won't stop some claiming it's some grand exercise in censorship carried out by "the leadership".
The official explanation is 'technical problems' but that won't stop some claiming it's some grand exercise in censorship carried out by "the leadership".
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
MPs take up fight to save local news at ITV
The NUJ's Parliamentary Group is to lead the political battle to save ITV local news following a briefing meeting this afternoon. John McDonnell, Secretary of the NUJ's cross-party Parliamentary Group, made the pledge when we met him at the House of Commons earlier today. John will work with other MPs to table Early Day Motions, seek an adjournment debate and meet with OFCOM and ITV in a bid to stop the damaging cuts which could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of local news services.
The group are also seeking an urgent meeting with Secretary of State James Purnell.
John and his colleagues have said they will help organise a lobby of Parliament and briefings of groups of MPs from each region to give the NUJ the opportunity to make our case for local news.
The group are also seeking an urgent meeting with Secretary of State James Purnell.
John and his colleagues have said they will help organise a lobby of Parliament and briefings of groups of MPs from each region to give the NUJ the opportunity to make our case for local news.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Pensions problems hit home
Pensions are a key part of the pay and benefits package for millions of working people - even those who work for trade unions.
Few people have had any good news on pensions in recent years with occupational schemes being closed, final salary pension provision being eroded and companies going belly up taking people's pensions with them.
The NUJ, like all other unions, is not immune from this crisis - and unlike many of the media employers we have no hidden billions that we could choose to put in the pension pot instead of rewarding shareholders.
This morning has been spent with my management hat on poring over figures from the draft actuarial valuation of the union's own scheme. And the figures do not make comfortable reading however you look at them.
Changes in mortality rates (a good thing) have added a huge liability to our pension scheme (a bad thing). The years of increasing benefits in the 1980s and 90s instead of saving for a rainy day now have to be paid for.
There will be no quick fixes, no easy solutions for us - once we have the final valuation we will begin a consultation with trustees, scheme members and staff unions to try to find the least painful way forward for all.
It can be hard to switch from campaigning on company pensions to managing our own scheme - but it's all in a day's work.
* I have also written to Paul Davidson the Chairman and Chief Executive of Newsquest today urging him to extend the consultation period on proposed changes to the company's pension scheme - our union reps report a widespread failure to involve members in the consultation.
Few people have had any good news on pensions in recent years with occupational schemes being closed, final salary pension provision being eroded and companies going belly up taking people's pensions with them.
The NUJ, like all other unions, is not immune from this crisis - and unlike many of the media employers we have no hidden billions that we could choose to put in the pension pot instead of rewarding shareholders.
This morning has been spent with my management hat on poring over figures from the draft actuarial valuation of the union's own scheme. And the figures do not make comfortable reading however you look at them.
Changes in mortality rates (a good thing) have added a huge liability to our pension scheme (a bad thing). The years of increasing benefits in the 1980s and 90s instead of saving for a rainy day now have to be paid for.
There will be no quick fixes, no easy solutions for us - once we have the final valuation we will begin a consultation with trustees, scheme members and staff unions to try to find the least painful way forward for all.
It can be hard to switch from campaigning on company pensions to managing our own scheme - but it's all in a day's work.
* I have also written to Paul Davidson the Chairman and Chief Executive of Newsquest today urging him to extend the consultation period on proposed changes to the company's pension scheme - our union reps report a widespread failure to involve members in the consultation.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Punched in the guts - ITV workers respond
Yesterday's proposals by the head of ITV Michael Grade to axe half of regional news services, cut the budget by £40m and threaten hundreds of job losses has provoked fury among union members across the company. One rep described it as like being "punched in the guts".
Today, NUJ reps in an emergency meeting have sent a clear warning they will fight the proposals - in the first instance through lobbying broadcasting regulator OFCOM to block the proposals, and urging the government to intervene to save regional news on ITV.
But we're also clear that if the plans are acted upon - if services are cut or jobs are axed - we will urge a ballot for strike action.
Reps unanimously backed the following motion:
This meeting of NUJ ITV M/Focs deplores ITV's proposals to slash regional news and we urge the regulator Ofcom to reject them.
The plan to cut the local news budget by £40 million will lead to the loss of many hundreds of jobs.
It also signals the death of much-loved regional news programmes across the country which have been part of the fabric of viewers' lives over decades.
ITV's five-year plan includes ideas for raising revenue. The NUJ believes there are alternative ways of raising sufficient funds without sacrificing regional news and jobs. We will be tabling our proposals to ITV management in planned talks over the coming weeks.
The NUJ will fight to protect regional news services on ITV by any means necessary, including strike action at a time of our choosing. We will also be working together with other unions, MP's and the public, who warmly support their regional news programmes.
ITV's plans, if unchallenged would be a betrayal of their loyal viewers and our members.
ITV's plans to cut regional news spending by £40m will spell the death of regional news. ITV launched new programmes over the last couple of years promising to bring "your local news closer to you". Now they are planning cuts that could mean a single service covering every city, town and village between Tewkesbury and Land's End. That's not local news it's cost-cutting at the expense of public service.
The NUJ alongside our sister union Bectu, over the coming days will launch a major campaign to Save ITV Regional News calling on members, MPs, viewers and listeners to join with us. Watch this space...
STOP PRESS: Nottingham MP Graham Allen is among the first to go public on opposition to planned cuts in ITV Regional News Services. Click here for more
The issues faced by ITV staff are at the heart of what the NUJ's Stand up for Journalism campaign is all about - protecting quality media. See why David Beake, an ITV journalist and NUJ rep is standing up for journalism here
Today, NUJ reps in an emergency meeting have sent a clear warning they will fight the proposals - in the first instance through lobbying broadcasting regulator OFCOM to block the proposals, and urging the government to intervene to save regional news on ITV.
But we're also clear that if the plans are acted upon - if services are cut or jobs are axed - we will urge a ballot for strike action.
Reps unanimously backed the following motion:
This meeting of NUJ ITV M/Focs deplores ITV's proposals to slash regional news and we urge the regulator Ofcom to reject them.
The plan to cut the local news budget by £40 million will lead to the loss of many hundreds of jobs.
It also signals the death of much-loved regional news programmes across the country which have been part of the fabric of viewers' lives over decades.
ITV's five-year plan includes ideas for raising revenue. The NUJ believes there are alternative ways of raising sufficient funds without sacrificing regional news and jobs. We will be tabling our proposals to ITV management in planned talks over the coming weeks.
The NUJ will fight to protect regional news services on ITV by any means necessary, including strike action at a time of our choosing. We will also be working together with other unions, MP's and the public, who warmly support their regional news programmes.
ITV's plans, if unchallenged would be a betrayal of their loyal viewers and our members.
ITV's plans to cut regional news spending by £40m will spell the death of regional news. ITV launched new programmes over the last couple of years promising to bring "your local news closer to you". Now they are planning cuts that could mean a single service covering every city, town and village between Tewkesbury and Land's End. That's not local news it's cost-cutting at the expense of public service.
The NUJ alongside our sister union Bectu, over the coming days will launch a major campaign to Save ITV Regional News calling on members, MPs, viewers and listeners to join with us. Watch this space...
STOP PRESS: Nottingham MP Graham Allen is among the first to go public on opposition to planned cuts in ITV Regional News Services. Click here for more
The issues faced by ITV staff are at the heart of what the NUJ's Stand up for Journalism campaign is all about - protecting quality media. See why David Beake, an ITV journalist and NUJ rep is standing up for journalism here
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Phew, re-elected...
The NUJ will have two of us - myself and Anita Halpin - speaking up for the issues that matter to the NUJ and our fellow media unions after we were both re-elected to the TUC General Council - the leading body of the UK trade union movement.
Anita was elected unopposed in the Women's Section whilst I came 8th in the poll amongst the unions with less than 100,000 members securing 382,000 votes to secure one of the 11 seats reserved for the smaller unions.
It is the fifth year I have been elected and I also serve on the TUC Executive and chair the Trades Councils committee of the TUC as well as sitting on the Organisation and Representation at Work Task Group. They all sound boring (and believe me some of the meetings can be!) but they give the NUJ unique access to lobby Government Ministers and to work with other unions to extend and defend the rights of working people.
Anita was elected unopposed in the Women's Section whilst I came 8th in the poll amongst the unions with less than 100,000 members securing 382,000 votes to secure one of the 11 seats reserved for the smaller unions.
It is the fifth year I have been elected and I also serve on the TUC Executive and chair the Trades Councils committee of the TUC as well as sitting on the Organisation and Representation at Work Task Group. They all sound boring (and believe me some of the meetings can be!) but they give the NUJ unique access to lobby Government Ministers and to work with other unions to extend and defend the rights of working people.
Jacqui promises action
I met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith yesterday and gave her a graphic description of the threats faced by NUJ members targeted by neo-nazi website Redwatch. The site publishes the names and addresses of so-called 'red journalists' (basically anyone who disagrees with their fascist ideology). Since having their details published some journalists have been physically threatened or had their property attacked.
Jacqui Smith promised the government would convene a meeting with the police and the TUC and NUJ to update us on actions they have taken so far and discuss further action. About time too...
Jacqui Smith promised the government would convene a meeting with the police and the TUC and NUJ to update us on actions they have taken so far and discuss further action. About time too...
NUJ ignites TUC Childcare debate
NUJ President Michelle Stanistreet won widespread support for her impassioned plea on behalf of working parents as she lambasted the TUC for its failure to provide adequate childcare facilities at this year's Congress. As the showcase of the trade union movement the Congress should be setting best practice, yet childcare facilities finish at 5.30pm meaning delegates with young children miss important fringe events. The trade union movement needs to attract more young people to its ranks (and certainly more women) - the least we can do is make sure our meetings are accessible to all. Shamefully the motion calling for an extension of childcare facilities was defeated with the General Council opposing it on cost grounds. Anita Halpin and I voted in favour of the extension of childcare - sadly we couldn't convince enough of our fellow General Councillors.
Rotimi Sankore intervened today in support of solidarity with Zimbabwean journalists and trade unionists who are under attack by the Mugabe regime. For details of campaigns on Zimbabwe see www.actsa.org
Rotimi Sankore intervened today in support of solidarity with Zimbabwean journalists and trade unionists who are under attack by the Mugabe regime. For details of campaigns on Zimbabwe see www.actsa.org
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Oh we do like to be beside the sea
It's TUC Conference week and the NUJ is once again making a splash. On the opening day we won TUC support for our motion on enforcing effective rights to collective bargaining for freelances and casual workers. Tom Davies, secretary of the London Freelance Branch moved the motion and won unanimous backing for our call for freelances to enjoy effective rights to representation both individually and collectively at work. There are millions of freelance and casual workers in Britain denied the most basic rights at work simply because of their employment status - in many cases being forced in to a bogus freelance status for that very reason. The NUJ is making this injustice the subject of one of our major campaigns this year.
Alan Gibson from the London Magazine Branch spoke in the debate on the Trade Union Freedom Bill, highlighting NUJ concerns over the denial of the right of members working for one newspaper owned by a multinational to take industrial action in support of other members working for the same parent company - so-called secondary action. The law is an ass and denies UK workers the rights enjoyed by all other workers across Europe. It is to the shame of the New Labour government that 10 years after they opposed Margaret Thatcher bringing in such laws they refuse to repeal them. Gordon Brown in his speech yesterday lectured us on pay restraint but never once mentioned any extension of trade union rights.
I was able to intervene in the discussion on Redwatch - the neo-nazi website which targets journalists amongst others - seeking to intimidate our members from exposing the criminal backgrounds of many BNP and other far-right councillors and activists. More than 50 NUJ members are listed on the site and some have been physically threatened or had their homes attacked as a result. Some newspapers have responded by taking individual journalists off covering the story.
For years the NUJ has campaigned alongside other unions for the police and government to act against the criminal elements behind Redwatch. Despite lots of promises there has been little action. I asked the TUC to seek an urgent meeting with the government to press again for action. No sooner said than done. This afternoon the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to address Congress and she has agreed to meet with me to discuss the issue. I'll update the blog on progress.
I was also able to speak in the debate on private equity today highlighting the concerns of the union over the takeover of media companies by private equity companies who have more concern for short-term profit than delivering quality media and drew attention to our Stand Up for Journalism campaign.
* The NUJ delegation is made up of the General Secretary and President Michelle Stanistreet, and elected delegates Anita Halpin, David Beake, Alan Gibson, Tom Davies, Rotimi Sankore and Jeff Apter.
Further information is available at www.tuc.org.uk
Friday, September 07, 2007
What the hell are you doing?
As NUJ General Secretary you could best describe my job as 'varied'. It ranges from managing the union's staff and budgets to speaking to a million-strong rally in Hyde Park, from complicated negotiations over new technology to petitioning companies, governments and even paramilitary organisations over media freedom and the safety of journalists, from addressing MPs to answering endless emails from students asking me to write their dissertation.
This blog is about what I and the union do - indeed sometimes irate members ask what the hell are you doing.
It is about not only giving members an insight in to the work their union carries out on a day to day basis far away from the headlines, work which improves the lives of journalists every day but also hopefully helping to increase the accountability of myself as the elected General Secretary and the union as a whole to its members.
I won't find time to write every day - but I hope the blog will give you a flavour of what your union does and how it is fighting day in day out for journalists and journalism.
This blog is about what I and the union do - indeed sometimes irate members ask what the hell are you doing.
It is about not only giving members an insight in to the work their union carries out on a day to day basis far away from the headlines, work which improves the lives of journalists every day but also hopefully helping to increase the accountability of myself as the elected General Secretary and the union as a whole to its members.
I won't find time to write every day - but I hope the blog will give you a flavour of what your union does and how it is fighting day in day out for journalists and journalism.
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