04 Informed


News Update


NUJ challenges government’s unfair freelance aid package


Treasury


Te union has taken the UK government to task over its Covid-19 scheme for freelances which excluded many members, particularly those taxed by the PAYE system, causing great hardship and stress. It has appealed for members to help fund a judicial review of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) which the NUJ believes is unlawful, discriminatory and irrational, given the Chancellor failed to protect a significant number of working people whose incomes were affected in precisely the same way as others who qualified for assistance. Michelle Stanistreet said: “We’re taking this legal step because it is clearly wrong and grossly unfair that some workers have been given vital support whilst others have been cast adriſt. Even at this late stage our hope remains that the government will rethink and take urgent measures to right this wrong. “Tis crisis should act as a wake- up call on the working practices of journalists and other freelances in the


Chancellor Rishi Sunak


creative industries. We need reformed public policy for freelances and the self-employed that is fit for purpose and reflects the way in which workers are forced to operate by employers.” Following lockdown, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for employees, but only aſter a huge campaign by the NUJ and others did he put in place the SEISS – however, it soon became clear many freelances were falling between the cracks of the schemes. Te NUJ’s #ForgotenFreelances campaign then lobbied for those people, including


DM planned for end of year


Te NEC agreed that the Finance Commitee, in consultation with the Standing Orders Commitee, will investigate how the Delegate Meeting (DM) can take place either by the end of the year, or the beginning of the next. DM is the union’s policy- making body and its meetings are held every two years to establish rule-


book changes, subscription increases and union policy. It was postponed from April this year because of Covid-19 and the restrictions on large gatherings. It was agreed the next DM


would be shorter, with as few members as possible atending while remaining democratically legitimate, and ensuring that late-notice motions and emergency


motions on issues raised by or during the pandemic could be taken. Te commitee will examine how


workers who had been forced by managements into becoming self-employed traders, the newly self-employed and those who were earning more than £50,000, who all lost out. Te BBC bowed to pressure to include 649 freelances working for the corporation, paid via the PAYE system, in the furlough scheme extended to other freelances. Tey will receive their average earnings for March, April and May and the payments will be capped at £2,500. Paul Siegert, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said the decision would provide a life-line for hundreds of PAYE freelances, a vital part of the BBC family.


#ForgotenFreelances legal challenge. We will be asking you and/or your


branch to join the crowdfunding effort to seek redress. See the website and NUJ Active for further details.


other unions and the TUC are holding their conferences and what options there are for a virtual DM if necessary. Te NUJ has an Emergency Commitee which convenes when there is pressing union business. Te Development Commitee and the Policy Commitee identified a number of motions that fell in line with existing policy and could be put into action. Te union’s democratic processes have continued via Zoom and Skype meetings.


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