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Northern Ireland strike threats achieve deals


wo major threats of strike action in Northern Ireland have won better conditions for journalists and seen membership of the NUJ leap.


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Last month strikes at both Johnston Press in the region and Alpha Newspapers, the biggest regional publisher in Northern Ireland, were averted after deals were reached over redundancies, working practices and pay. Members at both groups threatened strikes had overwhelming support. Nicola Coleman, Irish organizer, said that a pay survey of Alpha members last autumn revealed a significant number of journalists, many with years of service, were paid the national minimum wage with many women being paid less than men. Almost a third earned less than £15,000.


The chairman of the group is John Taylor, Baron Kilclooney, a former MEP


and deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party whose personal wealth, according to the Belfast Telegraph, is £30.4 million.


At Alpha Newspapers nearly 100 per cent of the members voted in favour of a strike. In the Derry Journal the vote was 100 per cent in favour of strike action; the News Letter was 93 per cent in favour; and Morton Newspapers voted 96 per cent in favour.


There has been a leap in membership of the NUJ


among journalists on Alpha titles following a campaign over pay. Density has increased from 29 per cent to 85 per cent in a short period. The NUJ and Alpha


management issued a joint statement: “Strike action has been called off at Alpha Newspapers following further talks between the company and the NUJ.


“The company and union


are pleased with the outcome and look forward to a strong future for the newspaper group.”


New unopposed term for NUJ leader M J


ichelle Stanistreet has been re-elected unopposed as general secretary of the NUJ. The re- election marks her second term in office after she was initially elected, again unopposed, five years ago. Then she became the first woman to lead the union in more than 100 years since it was founded. Prior to becoming general secretary Michelle served as deputy general secretary, a post that has since been scrapped. She has also been president of the union and is a former journalist at Express newspapers. At the union’s delegate conference in Southport, she thanked everyone who supported her and said she looked forward with optimism to her next five- year term, especially following two strong years for the union since the last delegate meeting. Conference news – pages 6-7


PAUL HERRMANN MERCURY WINNERS PROTEST OVER JOBS


ournalists on the Leicester Mercury, which won last year’s regional press awards, have asked not to take part in this year’s awards in protest against the sacking of photographic staff.


A letter on behalf of the chapel to the ceremony organiser said that the Mercury’s journalists were proud to be nominated again this year. But it said: “However, since the latest nomination, the management of


the Leicester Mercury has done considerable harm to our ability to produce a quality product and focus on the community by making two- thirds of our multi award-winning photographic team redundant.”


“ ”


Many Alpha journalists are paid the national minimum wage


in brief...


ANGER OVER NEW EXPENSES AT BBC BBC staff are discussing taking industrial action as a new expenses deal will leave many of them out of pocket. The hardest hit will be operational and production staff and anyone working long shifts. One evening meal allowance has been cut from £16 to £10. The BBC says the changes will result in a saving of £300,000.


UK FALLS IN PRESS FREEDOM RATINGS The use of anti-terrorism legislation against journalists has helped push Britain four places down the World Press Freedom Index. The annual report by Reporters Without Borders ranks 180 countries according to the freedom they allow journalists. The UK is now 38th, behind countries including Chile, Ghana and Uruguay.


AP WINS PULITZER FOR FISHING PROBE The Associated Press won the Pulitzer Prize for public Ssrvice journalism for its international investigation into the fishing industry in Southeast Asia. Its investigation - Seafood from Slaves – was credited with helping to free 2,000 slaves. It is AP’s 52nd Pulitzer in the 100 years that America’s top journalism’s honours have been running.


ANGLING TIMES TRIES FOR A BIGGER CATCH The Angling Times has switched from a newspaper format after 63 years and relaunched as a glossy magazine. Readers had told the publication that they wanted something that was easier to read on the river bank.


NEW PHOTO AGENCY SILVERHUB STARTS Silverhub, a new pictures agency, has been launched by former Getty Images chief operating officer Nick Evans-Lombe and the head of Getty Images editorial division Adrian Murell. It has been joined by former Daily Mirror head of pictures Ian Down, who had spent 25 years with the national daily. Silverhub also owns Action Press; The Picture Library; and Offside.


theJournalist | 03


DAVID ADAMSON / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


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