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The week beginning November 12th has been designated as Recruitment Week, kicking off the campaign, “Strength in Numbers – Building Your Union”. The move comes in response to the decision


Crucial recruitment campaign to kick off in November The Irish Executive Council approved the


proposal for the campaign at their September meeting.


of the NUJ Delegate Meeting to reject an increase in membership subscriptions, calling membership growth the only way in which current services can be maintained. Among the highlights of the week will be a Dublin event including the screening of the documentary, “No Stone Unturned”, accompanied by a panel discussion, as well as events to be held by chapels across the island of Ireland.


INM NI talks on pay and house agreement ongoing


Talks with management in the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life have restarted in relation to pay and a house agreement. The talks, which began well over a year ago,


were stalled due to a number of factors. However, the NUJ Irish Organiser, Ian McGuinness and chapel rep, Steven McAlister, met with local management and HR earlier this year.


The NUJ lodged a pay claim on behalf of its members and handed over its proposals to change the existing house agreement at the company, which has not been updated for approximately 15 years. Meanwhile, limited car parking spaces have been made available for staff at the company’s new Pilot Street car park. The company has said that the granting of this is not a contractual entitlement and the car park will be open to staff from Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm. The opening of the car park to employees had been significantly delayed by factors outside the control of the company. There are also a number of car parking spaces adjacent to the newspapers’ Clarendon Dock offices but not enough to cater for all staff, which resulted in employees having to park at the old company car park in the city centre and take a shuttle service to the offices.


Plans will begin next month, when IEC members are to meet branch officers and contact key chapels in their sector or constituency to seek support for the campaign. The campaign will target non-members across the sectors, including freelances and students. All IEC members and branch officers will be


called on to take an active role in Recruitment Week, which will mark the beginning of a concerted effort. Every member will be asked during the week to undertake steps to recruit at least one new member.


NUJ pushes for house agreement in The Irish News


A house agreement for The Irish News remains a priority in that workplace for the National Union of Journalists.


During discussions earlier this year with management on pay-related matters, the company indicated that it would at least be willing to consider a proposal from the NUJ on a house agreement. However, it subsequently refused to engage on such a document.


The NUJ therefore asked for the Labour


Relations Agency to get involved to see if an agreement could be reached. The Agency acts as an independent third party in mediation or conciliation of disputes.


Following contact between the LRA and The Irish News, it emerged that while the company believed its policies cover the relevant issues, it was willing to consider proposals from the union. No talks were held at the LRA between the union and management.


The NUJ Irish Office has drawn up a new


house agreement and submitted it to the company for its consideration. The union, including the chapel at the


newspaper, will be seeking meetings with management to discuss this document.


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