Branch January 2021


Tere is some light at end of the tunnel in 2021, says Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary, as branches set out their plans for the new year.


T


he shocking daily death figures have ushered in a grim start to 2021 and as ever we salute all our colleagues in hospitals,


care homes and at the frontline of the pandemic. Te lockdowns we are all experiencing continue to have a devastating effect on some of our members’ livelihoods. Preliminary results of an all-member survey show that almost a year on the effects and pressures caused by Covid-19 are taking a huge toll on mental health. If you haven’t done so far, please complete this survey which will provide vital data to help us help you and provide evidence for us to use when lobbying government on measures to protect media jobs: htps://www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/nujcovid Te results can also be used by


branches as they continue to support members and look forward to a new year as a campaigning union.


Te other major concern is the effect


of Brexit on the industry. Tis week we shared a statement with colleagues in the Federation of Entertainment Unions saying how disturbed we were to discover that proposals during the Brexit negotiations offering special travel rights for the creative workforce could not be agreed. Te union is now seeking clarification on what is required for those in the UK traveling for work in the EU and for members working in continental Europe who need to travel to other countries. Current advice is to check the visa and other requirements of each country. Not that much travel is permited in the present circumstances


as tighter regulations have been brought in to safeguard against new variants of the virus. It has also meant that the exemption on quarantine for news gatherers won by the union has been rescinded, hopefully temporality. But despite the gloom and doom


there is some light in the tunnel. Te vaccine programme provides hope of us returning to a “normal” life sometime this year. Te TUC is calling on unions to play their role in its Let’s Vaccinate Britain campaign by encouraging people to take part and to bargain with employers for paid time off for their staff be get vaccinated.


Te end of the month will see the fruition of an important piece of work by the union as part of its role on the government’s National Commitee for the Safety of Journalists. Working with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, Home Office, the police and industry bodies, the NUJ has been at the heart of puting together an action plan to protect media workers from the increasing atacks and harassment they face. I’d like to thank members who came forward to the commitee to share their harrowing experiences of vile threats and intimidation for just doing the job. It’s a plan we should all be proud of. Another cause for some optimism is that there appears some evidence that news organisations and publications have weathered the storm beter than initially expected. In his report for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (page 2), Nic Newman believes the shock of Covid-19 has led to a rapid and profound step NUJ change in companies plans for digital transformation. It has


also reminded the public of the need for a trusted source of news. He predicts a changing relationship and greater independence of the media from the tech giants as a clamour for greater regulation gathers pace.


Te union must also be heartened that there is growing interest in its News Recovery Plan from governments in the UK as a way to reset the industry. As a result, the Scotish government’s new working party on the future of local news is about to hold its first meeting, members of the Welsh Executive Council are in talks with ministers and last month a new Press Freedom and Media Sustainability All-Party Group was launched at the Stormont Assembly in Northern Ireland. Te hollowing out of local news titles must be arrested. Te union has a heavy agenda for 2021, including puting together its plans for a virtual Delegate Meeting this spring. Turning a crisis into opportunity, we are hoping that having the scope to do things differently will allow us to open up debates, celebrations and events to the wider membership. In Solidarity


Michelle Stanistreet


NUJ


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