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Union wins recognition at PA Media after long battle


PA MEDIA has been ordered to negotiate with the NUJ over pay, hours and holidays for editorial staff after union recognition was approved following a long campaign. The NUJ has welcomed the decision to approve union recognition without the need for a ballot, after a concerted efforts over four years to achieve collective bargaining power at the company. The Central Arbitration


Committee (CAC), an independent body that resolves collective disputes, approved recognition automatically because more than half of journalists in the relevant cohort at PA were NUJ members. There was resistance from


managers at PA, which employs more than 270 staff. Journalists across the company supported the call for recognition. The CAC found no evidence that union members at PA would not want collective bargaining conducted on their behalf, as the company had suggested. It also said there would be no benefit to delaying the process with a ballot.


Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ


general secretary, said: “This campaign, backed by hundreds of journalists across the group, will no doubt inspire editorial workers at other organisations that achieving union recognition is possible in the face of opposition.


are so grateful to everyone who has been involved and for the support we’ve had. “We are now looking


forward to working hard to get the best we can for our colleagues. This decision ensures they can all have a


Bob Norris award winners


THREE high-achieving student journalists have won prestigious awards in an annual scheme dedicated to the memory of NUJ stalwart Bob Norris.


The trio – Binta Trawally, Nathaniel Lawson and Reece Barrett – are studying with


the journalism training providers in the Solent region. These are the University of Portsmouth, Solent University and City of Portsmouth College. The students were nominated by their tutors for exceptional efforts.


Each will receive a trophy,


certificate and cash from the NUJ Solent branch as a tribute to Bob, a former branch chair. London-born Binta, 21, is


a third-year student at the University of Portsmouth. Her tutors said she


Reporter made freeman of borough


NUJ life member David Skentelbery – aged 86 and still working – has been made an honorary freeman of the borough of Warrington. He attended a special meeting of the


borough council, not knowing why he had been invited, and received the honour from the mayor. He said: “It came as a complete surprise. I’m not at all sure I should be receiving this honour as really all I have been doing is my job.” Freedom of the borough is the highest


award a council can give. Skentelbery joins a select group of people at Warrington which


includes former England World Cup footballer Roger Hunt and former MP Lord Hoyle. This is the first time a journalist has been made a freeman at Warrington. Skentelbery joined the Warrington Guardian in 1960 after working in Knutsford. Apart from a year in Wigan on the Lancashire Evening Post, he has spent his whole career in Warrington, going freelance in 1968 when he founded Orbit News Ltd. The company has since evolved into a magazine and news website publisher run by his son Gary. According to local legend, a freeman has the right to drive sheep across Warrington Bridge.


take very seriously. PA Media said: “We respect


the outcome of this process and the views that have been shared. We will work with the NUJ and our teams to continue to make PA a great place to work and build a career.”


maintained a strong work ethic and dedication to her studies despite also managing family responsibilities. She said: “I feel honoured and thrilled to receive the Bob Norris Award. This inspires me to continue striving for excellence and making a positive impact.“


Jonathan Brady and Emily


Pennink, co-chairs of the PA NUJ chapel, said: “This is the culmination of a long process that began in 2020, and we


real say in what happens at PA. We all love working for PA – it is a huge honour and responsibility to bring the news to people, one we all


inbrief...


TELEGRAPH’S WINNETT STAYS PUT Robert Winnett, deputy editor of The Telegraph, has stepped back from a planned move to be editor of The Washington Post, after his appointment triggered critical coverage in the US media, including in the Post itself. The criticism centred on allegations that Winnett had published stories in the Sunday Times in the early 2000s based on material obtained illegally.


CABLE IS ON TRACK FOR GROWTH GOAL The Bristol Cable media company has said that it is 60 per cent of the way to its goal of increasing annual membership income by half (or £60,000) in a year. The Cable said it had been offered a bonus grant of £40,000 by the Chicago-based Reva and David Logan Foundation if it meets its target by the 31 August deadline.


INFORMA CLOSES TWO TV OUTLETS B2B publisher Informa has closed Digital TV Europe and Television Business International. The decision follows plans to merge the Informa Tech business with the US-listed Tech Target to boost scale and growth in B2B. Digital TV Europe had published news and analysis for 40 years and Television Business International for 36 years.


David with wife Patricia, son Gary, granddaughters Hannah and Amy and great granddaughter Olivia after the presentation


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