04 Informed


Update Take in PA


Reps Jonathan Brady, Emily Pennink and Sian Harrison were all awarded a huge round of applause when they dropped into the NEC to celebrate their long-fought victory in geting union recognition at the Press Association. “Our argument was always that gaining union recognition would help to make great jobs even beter and help to keep PA at the pinnacle of British journalism where it belongs,” said Jonathan. “We want the company to do well – and for young journalists to see that they have a future and a career path here.” Tat the company did not see this and


resisted their bid all the way to the end was why it was so frustrating, they said. It was a huge task made more difficult


by the geographical spread of potential members and not even knowing that departments, such as the “amazing Puzzle team”, existed, plus many staff worked from home. WhatsApp became a vital organising tool. But the greatest problem was the


“dreaded churn”. “Although many of us love our job, the poor pay has meant that when people arrive they appreciate the professional experience it provides, but see it as a steppingstone to a beter-paid job,” said Emily. In 2023 they carried out a pay survey


Cyber security Te general secretary has initiated an overview of the union’s IT and data security systems following reports of cyber-atacks on many companies, including trade unions such as the CWU and GMB. In line with the TUC’s recent cyber security report, a series of measures are in train to ensure the union’s systems and data are well protected.


Officials Laura Davison and Mostafa Rajaai and reps Jonathan Brady, Sian Harrison and Emily Pennink at Headland House


which revealed some very poor pay and a wide disparity of remuneration, so the chapel put in a claim that pushed PA to a beter deal. With the management continuing to reject the recognition bid, they decided to take the laborious statutory route through the Central Arbitration Commitee (CAC). Tis meant geting beyond the


requisite magic 50 per cent of the bargaining unit, which was always touch and go as people joined up and then leſt. It took four years in all with the pandemic intervening. Finally, the figures stacked up – just about. Now it was up to the CAC to decide for automatic recognition or force a ballot. Laura Davison, national newspapers


£4m neted for NUJ members


Te first half of 2024 has achieved close to £4m in compensation/damages payments for members. Te NUJ’s legal department said: “We are pleased to have been able to achieve such fantastic results for our members.”


Senedd U-turn Te Senedd pulled back at the


and agencies organiser, described how her hands were shaking as she opened the CAC’s deciding leter. She could hardly believe the decision. Te reps said it had been sheer tenacity – plus a creative, positive campaign, huge support from the NUJ’s officers, legal and campaigns team and other chapels, such as the FT’s, which offered advice and solidarity – which got them through. A chapel commitee was quickly set up and another pay survey is on the way. Business Insider, which recently


won its own case, is now puting in its first pay claim aſter conducting a detailed survey of members; and recognition efforts continue at New Arab and the New Statesman.


eleventh hour from voting for a clause in Local Government Finance (Wales) Bill which would have deprived newspapers of vital revenue when advertising council tax changes, following a leter from the Welsh Executive Council and lobbying from newspaper editors.


Magazine cuts A rash of redundancies in


magazines were reported to the NEC, at Cosmopolitan magazine, Hello! magazine, and at the publishing groups Immediate Media, LexisNexis and Bauer. Roles are also risk at Sage Publications. Te union is in dispute with LexisNexis over pay and at the company’s Risk Solutions for removing roles from the bargaining unit.


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