2 Valuing journalism at a time of challenge


(from page 1) Michelle Stanistreet will be joined on the panel by


Natasha Morris, Legal and Equality Officer, NUJ; Esther Lynch, Confederation Secretary, European Trade Union Congress; and by Ethel Buckley, newly appointed Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU. The seminar theme is ‘Mind the Gap’ and there will be an emphasis on tacking the gender pay gap within the media. With the recent passing of the Competition


(Amendment) Act this year, conference will turn its attention to how the NUJ can best represent freelance workers and the first motion on the agenda calls on the union to campaign for new freelance agreements, while Dublin P&PR branch deal with the threat to workers from the so called gig economy. Low pay within the regional sector will be


highlighted by Irish South West branch. Once again Belfast and District branch will draw


attention to the fact that no one has been convicted for the murder of investigative journalist and Belfast Branch officer Martin O'Hagan. The branch is


seeking an ongoing IEC campaign, with the topic being a standing item on the agenda of each IEC meeting. In his report, Irish Secretary Séamus Dooley


draws attention to the successes achieved by the union in Ireland over the past two years but also renews warnings issued at the last two conferences about the need for branch renewal and strategic recruitment to compensate for the significant loss in membership, notably in the national press sector. On Friday night, the traditional eve of conference


reception will be held to honour life members of the union. Tim Dawson will present life membership certificates to a diverse group of members, the best known of whom is undoubtedly Vincent Browne. Vincent has had a turbulent relationship with many NUJ members over the years but has proudly retained his membership. Among the other recipients will be recently retired Morning Ireland presenter Cathal Mac Coille and former union activists Brian Trench, Ann Cahill and Geraldine Collins.


Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh will chair a seminar on pay inequality in the workplace, ‘Mind the Gap: Inequality at Work’, with a particular focus on gender discrimination, at the Irish Delegate Conference on Saturday.


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