Two bits of news that sum up so much of what is wrong with the current business models in media reach us. First amidst the Guardian Media Group's poor results today is the fact that Mark Dodson, the man who has overseen dozens of job cuts and the closure of offices across Greater Manchester and the halving of staff at Channel M has been rewarded with a massive bonus, equivalent to 10% of the company's profits. What a disgrace.
Then the row erupts between Chris Bullivant and Trinity Mirror in the Midlands over the future of some of the titles shut this week. Chris Bullivant claims he could have saved them. Trinity Mirror denies this and would rather close them - and stop any competition. Whatever the merits or otherwise of Chris Bullivant's claims the fact that Trinity Mirror aren't forced to divest themselves of these titles is another disgrace.
Communities are suffering, staff are being axed but the gravy train rolls on and shares rise. Treble gins all round...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Keeping occupied
Was looking forward to the picket lines in Birmingham and Coventry on Thursday but instead had to make do with the satisfaction of the chapels' strong stands resulting in compulsory redundancies being withdrawn and staff being redeployed. Despite the allegations that our threatened action was negligent and reckless it was effective in stopping those who did not want to go from losing their jobs...and that's what a trade union is about.
As is happening in lots of other unions there was discussion about tactics for the dispute, even occupying, sitting in and other forms of more radical action. Members have rightly ruled nothing out in fighting to stop compulsory redundancies. Occupations were once common place in the media industry, particularly for some reason in magazine and book publishing. Now that they are spreading across other industries - and there is news today of another one at Thomas Cook in Dublin - media workers are seeing such tactics can be effective. I'm sure it won't be long before we see such action in a media company. Support the Thomas Cook workers here
Today we had a campaigns meeting putting in place details of fringe events at the Labour Party and Lib Dem conference as part of the campaign against top-slicing the BBC licence fee and booked tickets for travel to far-flung places - well Manchester, Brighton, Liverpool as we prepare to take our campaigns on the road. Have also finished off and sent out a branch newsletter, welcomed the excellent victory for press freedom in Ireland (yes, another one!), had a meeting with BBC World Service management about jobs in the South Asia service, written to members of the Local Media Commission established by the union to update them on the submissions, campaigning and other activity we've been involved and spoken to MPs and the IFJ about assistance to an Iranian journalist currently in hiding.
Hope the weather's good tomorrow for a barbecue chez Serwotka. Mark is not just an inspirational General Secretary of the PCS he's a pretty mean chef to boot...
As is happening in lots of other unions there was discussion about tactics for the dispute, even occupying, sitting in and other forms of more radical action. Members have rightly ruled nothing out in fighting to stop compulsory redundancies. Occupations were once common place in the media industry, particularly for some reason in magazine and book publishing. Now that they are spreading across other industries - and there is news today of another one at Thomas Cook in Dublin - media workers are seeing such tactics can be effective. I'm sure it won't be long before we see such action in a media company. Support the Thomas Cook workers here
Today we had a campaigns meeting putting in place details of fringe events at the Labour Party and Lib Dem conference as part of the campaign against top-slicing the BBC licence fee and booked tickets for travel to far-flung places - well Manchester, Brighton, Liverpool as we prepare to take our campaigns on the road. Have also finished off and sent out a branch newsletter, welcomed the excellent victory for press freedom in Ireland (yes, another one!), had a meeting with BBC World Service management about jobs in the South Asia service, written to members of the Local Media Commission established by the union to update them on the submissions, campaigning and other activity we've been involved and spoken to MPs and the IFJ about assistance to an Iranian journalist currently in hiding.
Hope the weather's good tomorrow for a barbecue chez Serwotka. Mark is not just an inspirational General Secretary of the PCS he's a pretty mean chef to boot...
Monday, July 27, 2009
After the floods...plague and pestilence
After the floods come plague and pestilence. Emergency planning for swine flu pandemic now well under way...two staff now gone down with it. Hopefully quick action will contain any spread - so after you read this blog, wash your hands. And don't panic - just follow the advice!
So back to last week. Tuesday I met the union's bank before heading to the Gambian High Commission in London to protest at the arrest and trial of 7 journalists. The joint TUC, Amnesty International, NUJ event was well attended and a good launch to the global day of action.
On Wednesday morning I met Brendan Barber, the TUC General Secretary before heading to the TUC General Council at which I urged wider support for the campaign against top-slicing the BBC licence fee. Joined TUC President Sheila Bearcroft to judge the TUC's awards for reps - organising and health and safety - before shooting off to Parliament to meet John McDonnell MP and the leaders of the RMT, PCS, URTU and POA to discuss joint campaigning around rights at work, public services, the Equality Bill and other cross-union issues.
We also responded to the release of Alan Milburn's Unleashing Aspirations report which took up some of the issues we have been highlighting about access to journalism and how it is increasingly becopming the preserve of those who can afford it. The report falls short of what we want, which is proper and active enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, but it is a useful tool in highlighting the issue and moving it up the political agenda.
Thursday morning I was at the BBC with Bectu General Secretary Gerry Morrissey meeting HR to discuss upcoming negotiations on the move to Broadcasting House or W1 as the project is called and raising some issues regarding BBC pensions and expenses. Later on we had an NUJ/Bectu meeting to talk about recruitment and organisation in the commercial broadcasting sector.
Friday, I had a telephone conference with reps from Trinity Mirror in advance of the strike action planned for this Thursday at titles across the Midlands. I'll be heading up to join them on the picket lines. A second telephone conference with Jim Boumelha, Pierre Vicary and Michelle Stanistreet to discuss the consultation on the future direction of the International News Safety Institute which will be considered at their AGM in Malta. A quick management meeting rounded off the afternoon.
Friday night I was at Wembley - it may be the only time Tottenham get there this year so I wasn't going to miss the chance - for the mighty Wembley Cup watching the best team in the world...play Barcelona.
Saturday morning up far too early to head to Manchester for the NUJ day school on reporting the BNP. Ian Wood the Assistant Editor of the Manchester Evening News was really interesting on the debates they had had before launching their The Truth About the BNP campaign and members from papers where the BNP have a presence on local councils provoked good debate about the nature of coverage. We also touched on the issues of terminology, the physical threats by far right activists to journalists who write about them and sorting the myths from fact around issues such as housing, immigration and so on. A stimulating day.
This morning I'm catching up with all the emails I failed to answer last week (sorry!) and writing letters - to the union's lawyers and to the BBC, putting in place early arrangements for a Jobs Summit for the union's magazine sector (10 October - save the date), and putting the finishing touches to a branch newsletter.
Then it's the dentist...is it ok if i cry now?
So back to last week. Tuesday I met the union's bank before heading to the Gambian High Commission in London to protest at the arrest and trial of 7 journalists. The joint TUC, Amnesty International, NUJ event was well attended and a good launch to the global day of action.
On Wednesday morning I met Brendan Barber, the TUC General Secretary before heading to the TUC General Council at which I urged wider support for the campaign against top-slicing the BBC licence fee. Joined TUC President Sheila Bearcroft to judge the TUC's awards for reps - organising and health and safety - before shooting off to Parliament to meet John McDonnell MP and the leaders of the RMT, PCS, URTU and POA to discuss joint campaigning around rights at work, public services, the Equality Bill and other cross-union issues.
We also responded to the release of Alan Milburn's Unleashing Aspirations report which took up some of the issues we have been highlighting about access to journalism and how it is increasingly becopming the preserve of those who can afford it. The report falls short of what we want, which is proper and active enforcement of the National Minimum Wage, but it is a useful tool in highlighting the issue and moving it up the political agenda.
Thursday morning I was at the BBC with Bectu General Secretary Gerry Morrissey meeting HR to discuss upcoming negotiations on the move to Broadcasting House or W1 as the project is called and raising some issues regarding BBC pensions and expenses. Later on we had an NUJ/Bectu meeting to talk about recruitment and organisation in the commercial broadcasting sector.
Friday, I had a telephone conference with reps from Trinity Mirror in advance of the strike action planned for this Thursday at titles across the Midlands. I'll be heading up to join them on the picket lines. A second telephone conference with Jim Boumelha, Pierre Vicary and Michelle Stanistreet to discuss the consultation on the future direction of the International News Safety Institute which will be considered at their AGM in Malta. A quick management meeting rounded off the afternoon.
Friday night I was at Wembley - it may be the only time Tottenham get there this year so I wasn't going to miss the chance - for the mighty Wembley Cup watching the best team in the world...play Barcelona.
Saturday morning up far too early to head to Manchester for the NUJ day school on reporting the BNP. Ian Wood the Assistant Editor of the Manchester Evening News was really interesting on the debates they had had before launching their The Truth About the BNP campaign and members from papers where the BNP have a presence on local councils provoked good debate about the nature of coverage. We also touched on the issues of terminology, the physical threats by far right activists to journalists who write about them and sorting the myths from fact around issues such as housing, immigration and so on. A stimulating day.
This morning I'm catching up with all the emails I failed to answer last week (sorry!) and writing letters - to the union's lawyers and to the BBC, putting in place early arrangements for a Jobs Summit for the union's magazine sector (10 October - save the date), and putting the finishing touches to a branch newsletter.
Then it's the dentist...is it ok if i cry now?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Flood waters rise...
Came in this morning to the news we'd been flooded after a water cooler exploded over night and so electricity and phones were out of order - ended up having to send most staff home with the building in darkness and no access to emails, computers etc.. The worst part was no coffee.
Luckily there was coffee at the Publishing Skills Council meeting - the first one I've been to since the convoluted process to enable the union to be represented whilst pretending it is not (I'm called the employee rep or something like that). The PSC is part of Skillset, the sector skills council and it was an interesting meeting beginning to get to grips with the big discussion about the skills needs of those entering the publishing industry today at a period of such massive transformation. There's a range of views around the table but a common understanding that good vocational training and clear advice about training and careers opportunities is important.
Yesterday I spent nearly 4 hours representing a member in a disciplinary hearing before heading to my own union branch - Central London. In the morning I attended the TUC Executive which adopted a good position paper on Digital Britain and in particular in opposition to top-slicing and in favour of the NUJ/BECTU position on levies.
Monday I had been at a meeting of the BBC World Service newsroom chapel discussing some of the ideas for campaigning around top slicing and the likely funding cuts World Service may experience when its Grant in Aid is reviewed as part of government spending plans.
It is clearly going to be a very difficult time for the BBC - we had briefings at the end of last week on the situation facing the pension fund and with Ben Bradshaw on the war path jobs and programmes are going to be under threat. We understand all too well why people want to criticise BBC management - we do it every day but we also understand why many of the media have an interest in attacking the BBC's funding and it is important we distinguish between addressing poor management and action which will weaken the BBC's public service broadcasting. At the moment the cuts include environment and economics correspondents and journalists covering world news and arts. Where's the 'tackling waste' in that.
Friday was the union's National Executive Council - 9 hours of debate and discussion on topics covering job cuts across the industry, union finances, membership, motions for annual conference, policy issues as well as topics like the News of the World hacking revelations and the implications of Digital Britain.
The NEC also gave its full backing to all those resisting job cuts at profitable media companies and those defending quality in their workplaces. Authority for action was given at newspapers in Middelsborough, Newcastle, Birmingham, at Penguin, at Signal Radio in Stoke whilst the NEC welcomed the campaigning in Scotland which had resulted in MSPs criticising the impact of cuts in newspapers.
Luckily there was coffee at the Publishing Skills Council meeting - the first one I've been to since the convoluted process to enable the union to be represented whilst pretending it is not (I'm called the employee rep or something like that). The PSC is part of Skillset, the sector skills council and it was an interesting meeting beginning to get to grips with the big discussion about the skills needs of those entering the publishing industry today at a period of such massive transformation. There's a range of views around the table but a common understanding that good vocational training and clear advice about training and careers opportunities is important.
Yesterday I spent nearly 4 hours representing a member in a disciplinary hearing before heading to my own union branch - Central London. In the morning I attended the TUC Executive which adopted a good position paper on Digital Britain and in particular in opposition to top-slicing and in favour of the NUJ/BECTU position on levies.
Monday I had been at a meeting of the BBC World Service newsroom chapel discussing some of the ideas for campaigning around top slicing and the likely funding cuts World Service may experience when its Grant in Aid is reviewed as part of government spending plans.
It is clearly going to be a very difficult time for the BBC - we had briefings at the end of last week on the situation facing the pension fund and with Ben Bradshaw on the war path jobs and programmes are going to be under threat. We understand all too well why people want to criticise BBC management - we do it every day but we also understand why many of the media have an interest in attacking the BBC's funding and it is important we distinguish between addressing poor management and action which will weaken the BBC's public service broadcasting. At the moment the cuts include environment and economics correspondents and journalists covering world news and arts. Where's the 'tackling waste' in that.
Friday was the union's National Executive Council - 9 hours of debate and discussion on topics covering job cuts across the industry, union finances, membership, motions for annual conference, policy issues as well as topics like the News of the World hacking revelations and the implications of Digital Britain.
The NEC also gave its full backing to all those resisting job cuts at profitable media companies and those defending quality in their workplaces. Authority for action was given at newspapers in Middelsborough, Newcastle, Birmingham, at Penguin, at Signal Radio in Stoke whilst the NEC welcomed the campaigning in Scotland which had resulted in MSPs criticising the impact of cuts in newspapers.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
The FCO has better canapes than the TUC
A relatively successful evening's schmoozing and lobbying at the TUC's annual reception for Parliamentarians.
First target was Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw to secure a meeting with him about Digital Britain and its implications for media workers. He's the first to arrive and I'm first in there. Job done.
Follow that up with a chat with John McDonnell about arranging a lobby of Parliament over top-slicing and then an agree with Tribune editor Chris McLaughlin to pen something about it for a forthcoming issue. Had a chat with TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady about the work of the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions which is looking at a number of issues, including, thanks to the lobbying of ourselves and BECTU, the issue of the abuse of work experience. Frances sits on the panel for the TUC and has been instrumental in getting NUJ and other unions concerns on the agenda. The report is expected shortly and whilst it is unlikely to offer a panacea I am hopeful it will be another tool in trying to halt the shameful abuse of those wanting to break in to journalism and break down some of the barriers students from poorer backgrounds face in getting in to our increasingly privileged profession.
Catch up with NUJ members covering the event, like Kevin Maguire from The Mirror, communications and press officers from the CWU, Unite and others before Gordon and Sarah grace us with their presence and the PM says a few words while a few bemused tourists peer at him through the windows of Church House.
Earlier in the evening I'd been with campaigners from Colombia at a reception at Lancaster House where the new Minister Chris Bryant was due to speak. He hadn't by the time I left for the TUC event but I can report that the canapes were far fancier. But one question bugged me. It was an event about Latin America and all the serving staff were Latin American. Coincidence or cheap labour or tasteless gimmick? Answers on a postcard to.....
Today I've meetings on union recruitment followed by meetings of the National Joint Council (NJC) at the BBC with the Trust followed by a briefing on the state of play with BBC pensions.
First target was Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw to secure a meeting with him about Digital Britain and its implications for media workers. He's the first to arrive and I'm first in there. Job done.
Follow that up with a chat with John McDonnell about arranging a lobby of Parliament over top-slicing and then an agree with Tribune editor Chris McLaughlin to pen something about it for a forthcoming issue. Had a chat with TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O'Grady about the work of the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions which is looking at a number of issues, including, thanks to the lobbying of ourselves and BECTU, the issue of the abuse of work experience. Frances sits on the panel for the TUC and has been instrumental in getting NUJ and other unions concerns on the agenda. The report is expected shortly and whilst it is unlikely to offer a panacea I am hopeful it will be another tool in trying to halt the shameful abuse of those wanting to break in to journalism and break down some of the barriers students from poorer backgrounds face in getting in to our increasingly privileged profession.
Catch up with NUJ members covering the event, like Kevin Maguire from The Mirror, communications and press officers from the CWU, Unite and others before Gordon and Sarah grace us with their presence and the PM says a few words while a few bemused tourists peer at him through the windows of Church House.
Earlier in the evening I'd been with campaigners from Colombia at a reception at Lancaster House where the new Minister Chris Bryant was due to speak. He hadn't by the time I left for the TUC event but I can report that the canapes were far fancier. But one question bugged me. It was an event about Latin America and all the serving staff were Latin American. Coincidence or cheap labour or tasteless gimmick? Answers on a postcard to.....
Today I've meetings on union recruitment followed by meetings of the National Joint Council (NJC) at the BBC with the Trust followed by a briefing on the state of play with BBC pensions.
Monday, July 06, 2009
Digital Britain dominates workload
From meetings with BBC Director General Mark Thompson to discuss Digital Britain and the threat of top-slicing to protesting outside the Gambian High Commission over the arrest and trial of 7 journalists it was a hectic week last week - hence the late catch up on the blog.
The week kicked off with a meeting with the General Secretaries of Equity, Musicians Union and Bectu to discuss our campaigning on Digital Britain before a series of meetings with staff at the
union's HQ and an hour to draft motions for the NEC to table to the next conference. On Tuesday we had the NUJ Parliamentary Group and again Digital Britain took centre stage but we also discussed how MPs can back up the union's Freelance Month activities and whether the Iraq War Inquiry announced by Gordon Brown will have a remit to consider the killing of journalists - particularly Terry Lloyd. We also touched on press freedom issues in Gambia and Qatar. In the evening I met with around 20 Labour MPs and raised the issue of the killing of journalists and trade unionists in Colombia.
Wednesday I met with the TUC and Amnesty International to plan the activities in support of 7 journalists jailed in Gambia. I also wrote to Paul Davidson the Chief Executive of Newsquest about further threatened redundancies in the group. Thursday was spent largely at the BBC with meetings with the new director of BBC People and Director General Mark Thompson. Friday morning I chaired the Federation of Entertainment Unions when we discussed BBC and ITV activities as well as training and equality issues across the sector. From there I went to the Gambian High Commission to join the protest and hand in a letter before racing to ULU to speak in a media workshop at Marxism 2009 before heading back to catch up with emails.
The week kicked off with a meeting with the General Secretaries of Equity, Musicians Union and Bectu to discuss our campaigning on Digital Britain before a series of meetings with staff at the
union's HQ and an hour to draft motions for the NEC to table to the next conference. On Tuesday we had the NUJ Parliamentary Group and again Digital Britain took centre stage but we also discussed how MPs can back up the union's Freelance Month activities and whether the Iraq War Inquiry announced by Gordon Brown will have a remit to consider the killing of journalists - particularly Terry Lloyd. We also touched on press freedom issues in Gambia and Qatar. In the evening I met with around 20 Labour MPs and raised the issue of the killing of journalists and trade unionists in Colombia.
Wednesday I met with the TUC and Amnesty International to plan the activities in support of 7 journalists jailed in Gambia. I also wrote to Paul Davidson the Chief Executive of Newsquest about further threatened redundancies in the group. Thursday was spent largely at the BBC with meetings with the new director of BBC People and Director General Mark Thompson. Friday morning I chaired the Federation of Entertainment Unions when we discussed BBC and ITV activities as well as training and equality issues across the sector. From there I went to the Gambian High Commission to join the protest and hand in a letter before racing to ULU to speak in a media workshop at Marxism 2009 before heading back to catch up with emails.
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