Informed 05


Equal pay claims net almost £3m


Without the NUJ’s help members would not have won cases against equal pay, holiday entitlement and payment for work done. Last year the NUJ secured more than £9m for its members in individual setlements; that’s £25,000 every single day. So far this year, in equal pay claims alone, members have won almost £3m in compensation and back-pay, plus an increase in salary. Te setlements range from £20,000


to £1.3 million and show just how women have been discriminated against and disadvantaged in the industry. Te floodgates opened when the BBC


was first forced to publish its list of top earners – the so-called talent earning more than £150,000. Women were absent from the top 10 (and elsewhere) of the star earners – latest figures show three women feature in the top spots and the gender pay gap has narrowed. Te Equality and Human Rights Commission is investigating equal pay at the BBC. Tanks to high-profile figures such as Carrie Gracie, the former China editor, who spoke out about male colleagues earning more than she did, many other women have felt able to come forward. But it has been a long and arduous process, with the BBC failing to honour agreed time targets for resolution. BBC figures shared with the joint unions this month show that since 2017, 1,299 pay queries have been processed, with 90 per cent of cases now resolved. Te tally of outstanding cases is now 103 in formal processes, and 25 in informal stages. Cases are being dealt with by the general secretary, officials and


local reps. Every day the NUJ provides a lifeline for members who have not been paid, been unfairly dismissed, bullied and treated unfairly. Te union won a significant tribunal victory – which could have consequences for freelances and casuals – David Walsh who had worked for many years as a casual for Scotsman Publications Ltd was awarded £8,360, over his right to holiday pay. Te tribunal ruled that David met the statutory definition of “worker” and was entitled to paid holidays. He said: “I had worked for over three years without holiday pay until I turned to the NUJ for help. Te union was instrumental in securing victory, using its clout and energy to keep pushing for action. I wasn’t fighting in the trenches on my own anymore. “Hopefully the result will mean freelances and casuals won’t find themselves trapped in quasi- employment without their rights being respected.”


Te freelance office also


secured £7,988.45 for photographer Taz Darling, who specialises in cycling journalism, aſter a magazine decided not to publish work it had commissioned from her.


Te union took her case to the small claims court and the judge made it very clear that if work was commissioned and supplied, it had to be paid for. Te company’s subsequent unreasonable behaviour led to legal costs being awarded against it.


One journalist who has been made


redundant twice said: “Life as a reporter is tough enough, but added to the pressure of meeting deadlines is the constant fear of redundancy. Tankfully,


FT is fined £9,000 for bad practice


Te Financial Times was ordered to pay £9,000, plus interest of £794, in compensation to production journalist, Iseult FitzGerald, aſter a judge said that her return to work aſter maternity leave had been handled “very poorly”. Iseult said: “Taking your employer


to court when you still work for them certainly has its challenges. But if we want change, then we have to face these challenges head on. I am enormously grateful to the NUJ for its help in geting me a fair hearing and access to justice that would have otherwise been out of reach for me because of the steep cost of legal fees. “Tere are about 54,000 cases of maternity discrimination in the UK each year, but sadly fewer than 1 per cent make it to tribunal. Te widespread use of non-disclosure agreements has silenced thousands of women, covering up companies’ discriminatory treatment of returning mothers. Hopefully my small victory can contribute to bigger changes. “Money was never my motivation.


Having a court rule that I had been discriminated against was invaluable to me. Te point of going to a tribunal was to shine a light on a case of bad behaviour and management within companies – something that oſten goes unpunished.”


when it has happened to me, I had the NUJ in my corner. My rep was on tap 24/7 giving me advice and a clear plan of atack. If you are not a member of the NUJ, I cannot say it loudly enough – JOIN TODAY!”


S S We Offer Support and Help


Te NUJ is your lifeline if you get arrested or the authorities try to confiscate your data or images. We chase non-payers, represent and support you during disciplinary or redundancy procedures or if you are being bullied or have other work- related problems. We offer professional help with reporting guides and advice on ethics, networking opportunities and training to help you develop your skills throughout your career.


Are you keeping good company? Join the NUJ today at


nuj.org.uk/join www.nuj.org.uk


REASONS TO JOIN


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