news Call to fight far right and racist narratives


ACCURATE, ethical reporting is needed to counter racist narratives, the NUJ’s black members’ council (BMC) emphasised at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference. Kate Bell, TUC assistant


general secretary, said 40 per cent of black workers face racist abuse at work and more than one in three experience verbal or physical attacks. She linked this abuse to the


failure of social media companies to prevent the spread of discrimination on their platforms. She said: “Tech platforms


give voices to those like Tommy Robinson, which enables hatred and creates a hostile environment for black people. Nigel Farage wants to rip up the Equality Act that protects all of us. “We say no to the politics of division, no to the far right and no to racism.” The NUJ’s delegation


comprised Roger McKenzie, BMC co-chair, and Saadeya Shamsuddin, BMC treasurer pictured above. Moving the NUJ’s motion


– Resisting the Far Right and Racist Narratives – Shamsuddin said: “We are in a moment where parts of our political and media landscape have made anti-immigration, anti-Muslim and anti-black rhetoric not just acceptable, but mainstream. “We are seeing more black and brown faces in positions


of power being used – and in some cases choosing – to uphold systems of white supremacy that continue cycles of inequality at the highest levels. “You can argue it has


always been this way. But right now, because of what is happening globally and the impact it is having on people like you and me, the stakes are higher. We need journalism with integrity.” The motion, which was


carried unanimously, called


Pay increases agreed at ITN Staff with full-time


THE NUJ has reached an agreement with ITN on this year’s pay award, delivering significant improvements for members. Pay increases will be applied in tranches, ensuring fair pay gaps are maintained between junior and senior roles.


equivalent earnings up to and including £50,000 will receive a 3.7 per cent increase, with a minimum rise of £1,500. Staff earning above


£50,000 and up to £90,000 will receive a 3.7 per cent increase on the first £50,000,


ALEX SLATER


on the TUC to: organise a national demonstration uniting trade unionists and communities; lobby the government to push back against divisive rhetoric; and promote media literacy alongside the NUJ’s race reporting guidelines. The importance of these guidelines and the union’s code of conduct were also highlighted in a motion on the rise in racist language and abuse, which called for accountability from politicians, the media and the trade union movement itself. McKenzie warned that the normalisation of racist rhetoric must be challenged and that confronting racism requires consistency. “We have to call them all out – not only politicians for spewing the same words as Enoch Powell in 1968 – but also within our trade unions,” he said.


Overall, the deal delivers


plus 2.9 per cent on the remainder of their salary. Staff earning over £90,000


will receive a flat increase of £3,010. This is equivalent to a 3.7 per cent rise on the first £50,000 and a 2.9 per cent increase on earnings of £50,000–£90,000, with no increase above £90,000.


Better terms won at Mediahuis


NUJ MEMBERS at Mediahuis, which publishes the Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Herald, Sunday World/Crime World, Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life and regional titles, have accepted a pay and benefits package after a four-month battle. Of the ballots cast, 80 per cent were in


favour of accepting the package. The NUJ group chapel committee had recommended a yes vote. Last December, almost three-quarters of NUJ members who voted rejected a 2 per cent pay


04 | theJournalist


increase for 2026 and a €500/£500 Christmas bonus. No recommendation was given by the committee in that ballot. The following conditions have now


been agreed: • Paternity leave boosted from two to four


weeks, with full pay for the month • Domestic violence leave increased from


five days to one month on full pay • Bereavement leave increased – depending


on the relationship of the deceased to the employee – to up to one month


an average pay increase of 3.5 per cent, with 88 per cent of eligible staff receiving a rise of 3 per cent or more. Alex Maguire, NUJ


organiser, said: “This is a successful outcome for members at ITN, achieved through sustained negotiation and the collective strength of the joint unions.


“


We are seeing more black and brown faces in positions of power being used – and in some cases choosing – to uphold systems of white supremacy


Saadeya Shamsuddin NUJ’s black members’ council


“While we are


disappointed that, when announcing this award to staff, ITN chose to try to obscure the pivotal role of the NUJ and Bectu in negotiating this pay offer, we are certain that members know it was their unions that secured an additional pay investment of £100,000 and the implementation of tranches for this year and next.”


• Employees aged 62 and above with at


least five years’ service can receive a year’s gross salary tax free if they retire within one year.


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