14 Three per cent for Irish News freelances


Freelance journalists working shifts in The Irish News have been given a pay increase of 3 per cent, backdated to April 1st this year. Late last year the NUJ submitted a pay claim on behalf of its members at the Belfast-based newspaper and union members voted in favour of the company’s offer of 3 per cent, payable at the start of this year. However, despite the union stating that it was negotiating for all its members, the company claimed the NUJ did not specifically lodge a claim for freelance members and the pay increase was therefore only applied to staff at the paper. The NUJ wrote again to the company, and held


another meeting with management, to claim the same 3 per cent should be paid to both freelances working shifts in the newspaper and columnists who write for the daily publication. While the company conceded the 3 per cent for those working freelance shifts, it would not


apply the same increase to fees paid to columnists, as it claimed agreements with those journalists were a separate issue. Irish Organiser, Ian McGuinness, said: “While the NUJ welcomes the payment of an extra 3 per cent per shift to freelance journalists in the newsroom, it is illogical not to apply the same increase to columnists. Just like their employee colleagues and those working freelance shifts, they are hit by inflation and deserve to be protected from it. “The columnists in The Irish News are high


profile, produce high-quality content, and attract high levels of readers to this newspaper. The union will therefore not be taking ‘no’ for an answer and will insist in the months and years to come that columnists must be appropriately remunerated, in line not just with inflation but the high-quality content they produce.” Meanwhile, the newspaper has also agreed to talk to the union about a house agreement.


Belfast members receive their NUJ Gold Badge


Two Life Members from the Belfast and District Branch were among a handful of activists approved by the 2018 Delegate Meeting in Southport for the award of one of the Union's highest honours, the NUJ Gold Badge. Gerry Carson, Chair of the Branch and


Golden duo: Bob Miller and Gerry Carson. Photo: Ciarán Ó Maoláin.


Cathaoirleach of the IEC, and Bob Miller, who has held many chapel, branch and national offices, were also presented by the Branch with prints by Armagh artist Lorcan Vallely as a mark of appreciation of their long service. Their service has included countless hours of advice and representation to individual members, as well as involvement in the thankless committee work that keeps the union's wheels turning.


Tuam Herald pay and workload issues addressed


The NUJ Chapel at the Tuam Herald has lodged a claim for full pay restoration of the 10 per cent cut its members took during the recession.


The union has proposed that the restoration be


phased in over four years. However, pending full pay restoration, the chapel has also put a number of other issues on the table for negotiation. These are: the provision of mobile phones, laptops for reporters, a Christmas bonus, and an annual payment of a One4All voucher. The chapel is not demanding simultaneous concession on all of these issues but has tabled


them, as they may offer both sides flexibility while negotiating the eventual pay restoration. Meanwhile, the union welcomed the company’s


agreement to have regular meetings with chapel officers to discuss issues relating to workload and stress. Given that these issues are common across the media industry, the aim of such meetings is to pinpoint what is working well in the newsroom and also try to flag up potential areas of concern for both sides.


The union has also welcomed the swift move by management to fill a post that became vacant recently.


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