Informed 05


employment rights, precarious working and public-service broadcasting. As a former regional newspaper editor, I must confess that it was his passion for the role of the local press which struck me most. In supporting the Local News Maters campaign and the union’s stand on media plurality Jeremy Corbyn drew on his own experience as a local reporter, recalling the close connection between the local journalist and his or her readers. Against that backdrop Paul Holleran’s


report on the threatened closure of 24 titles by Johnston Press was a stark reminder of the massive challenges facing the regional press sector. Te Scotish organiser mooted the possibility of Johnston Press selling some titles to community co-operatives or trusts, an idea which will be explored in the coming months. Tis is a batle the union will fight and we will use the influence of our political allies to protect jobs and the press.


BBC talks continue as scandal of pay inequality is revealed


Te Labour leader’s welcome support for public servicing broadcasting and his unequivocal condemnation of the decision to force the BBC to pick up the tab for free licence fees for over-75s comes at a time of considerable challenge for the BBC and especially for those employed by the corporation. July marked the end of the most extensive consultation


process ever undertaken as part of the review of BBC terms and conditions of employment. Te draſt proposals, which emerged from a joint


process with NUJ, BECTU and Unite, were presented for consideration at roadshows across the UK where management and union representatives hosted major presentations in Belfast, Bristol, Leeds, Salford, Glasgow, Cardiff, and the various London studios. It is estimated that 2,000 workers atended the sessions.


While there are many good features in the


draſt, unions had predicted the inadequate pay increases, combined with significant changes to allowances and working practices, would be strongly opposed.


Tese proposals were circulated in what was a new way of


working with the BBC. What is not new is the principle that any firm proposals will go to ballot and it is union members who will decide whether the final outcome of the process is acceptable. Aſter the consultation process closed, management accepted that a number of proposals would be reconsidered during negotiations and that union representatives would enter the process informed by the strong views of members. Te NUJ has grave concerns about excessive levels of


executive remuneration at the BBC and members are understandably concerned at the disparity which has been revealed with the publication of top salaries. Of the list of 96 “stars” earning more than £150,000 including Chris Evans (pictured), only a third were women and only 10 were from black or minority ethnic backgrounds. We will not allow ourselves to be used by those with a commercial or political agenda who seek to exploit legitimate concerns about high-level remuneration to undermine public service broadcasting. Te struggle to ensure fairness, equity and equality at the BBC is both an industrial and a political mater and we must do everything to protect the principle that broadcasting can never be simply commercial.


Jeff Gilbert / Alamy Stock Photo


Natasha Hirst


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