Informed NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE issue 30 Feb 2020 Victory for equality Te judgment highlighted the lack of


transparency and inconsistency in the BBC’s approach to seting pay: “Te BBC found itself in difficulties in this case because it did not (and, to an extent, still does not) have a transparent and consistent process for evaluating and determining pay for its on-air talent.” So far this year, in equal pay claims alone, NUJ members have secured many millions in compensation and back pay, plus increases in salary. Michelle said: “Te tribunal outcome


Emphatic judgment: Michelle Stanistreet and Samira Ahmed aſter the tribunal supported the BBC’s presenter’s case that she had been discriminated against over pay.


Te decision by the NUJ to back Samira Ahmed’s equal pay claim at an employment tribunal resulted in a resounding victory for the union and BBC presenter, and has been celebrated throughout the union world.


Te landmark judgment was unequivocal in supporting her case against the BBC for paying a man, Jeremy Vine, six times the amount she was geting for doing a similar programme. Te panel agreed that she was doing “like work” on Newswatch to his on Points of View. Te BBC and Samira have now reached a setlement. Samira, who met the union’s


Parliamentary Group and discussed the need for the right to know how much colleagues are earning, will now be the


Also in this issue:


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keynote speaker at the TUC’s Women’s conference and address the NUJ’s Delegate Meeting in April. Te BBC’s legal team had cited Jeremy Vine’s ability to have a “glint in his eye” or to be “cheeky” as a reason for the discrepancy, but this was dismissed as directions, such as “roll your eyes”, appeared on his script. Te judges heard he was paid £3,000 per episode in 2018 despite being viewed as up-and-coming talent. Te result was cheered by colleagues and friends who had shown their support by marching alongside Samira and NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet to the tribunal hearings. It also led to the BBC showing a new willingness to resolve some of the many outstanding equal pay cases at the corporation.


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was a major victory, and about as emphatic a verdict as we could have hoped for. Samira’s determination to be treated properly has also inspired women in other workplaces to stand up and fight for pay parity.“ Samira tweeted: “Just want to say: thank you to everyone who supported me and understands equal pay is about men and women as allies. To my amazing union @NUJofficial who backed me. And to the Ford Dagenham and Grunwick women who blazed the trail & to whom I’ll always be grateful.” Samira’s victory was mirrored in


Ireland where the union helped secure €100,000 for former executive TV producer Anne Roper from RTÉ, which had forced her to retire against her wishes at 65. RTÉ argued she had to go to allow younger talent to progress at the station.


Anne claimed discrimintion and the Workplace Relations Commission, in its ruling, said other employees had been allowed to continue beyond 65 and that Anne had been keen to train younger producers. It awarded her the equivalent to a year’s salary. Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, said:


“Te NUJ did its best to secure a local resolution; Anne should not have been forced to go to the WRC and it is most regretable that RTÉ has now appealed.”


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