Bristol NUJ

Press Release 22/2/07

http://www.nuj.org.uk/

The issue between the NUJ and the BBC has been resolved to mutual satisfaction. The joint unions have issued the following statement:

JOINT UNION STATEMENT STRIKE SUSPENDED 26 FEBRUARY

As a result of discussions this week the number of potential redundancies has been reduced and the BBC has agreed a further period of time in the expectation that negotiations will be concluded successfully with no compulsory redundancies of members. We have therefore agreed to suspend the action planned for the 26th February 2007. This means that there will be no strike on Monday at the BBC. The Joint Unions have indicated that, if necessary, they would consider industrial action at a later date over this matter, however we are hopeful that this will not now prove necessary.

The readiness of both Unions to take strike action to defend our members’ position has again shown this can produce positive results.

Management have also worked hard to reduce the outstanding job losses.

Please support this urgent campaign against the Government’s proposed changes to the Freedom of Information Act, which could severely restrict journalists’ ability to obtain information. The Government’s consultation period closes on 8th March. Press Gazette have organised a petition against the changes.

The following article is from the NUJ Active email newsletter:

Time is running out to save Freedom of Information Act

It’s the last chance to get in your protests about Government plans to neuter the Freedom of Information Act. The Act has been successfully used by journalists across all media to uncover information politicians, corporations and others want to keep secret. Plans by the Government to amend the Act will make it easier for public authorities to turn down legitimate requests on the basis of cost. There are also plans to exempt MPs from the requirements of the Act. The NUJ has joined forces with campaigners and industry bodies to oppose the changes. Make sure your voice is heard before the Government consultation closes on 8 March. Sign up to the Press Gazette petition at http://www.pressgazette.co.uk Tell your MP what you think. Go to http://www.writetothem.co.uk For further information and other campaign tools see http://www.cfoi.org.uk Do it today – before it’s too late!

Also see the article on the main NUJ website;

The NUJ has announced a twenty-four hour stoppage across the BBC on 26th February 2007.

http://www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1619

NUJ representatives from across the BBC unanimously backed strike action in the face of a refusal by BBC managers to reconsider plans for up to six compulsory redundancies. Bectu members will also be out on strike.

NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: “BBC managers have absolutely nobody to blame but themselves for this strike - they have dug their heels in over an issue that could easily be resolved. Hundreds of BBC staff have volunteered for redundancy and dozens of vacancies are currently being advertised, but BBC managers have refused to redeploy threatened staff and instead are seeking to force staff out the door.”

“It’s a poor way to run the world’s leading public service broadcaster. BBC staff and licence-fee payers deserve better. We are even now calling on the BBC to agree a sensible outcome. The challenges facing the corporation are significant and they should not begin by alienating the journalists who work so hard to make the BBC what it is.”

NUJ National Broadcasting Organiser Paul McLaughlin said: “We made it clear at the start of this process we would not accept compulsory redundancies because we said there was no need. There is still no need and BBC managers have only themselves to blame for the angry reaction of their staff.”

The union will be organising chapel meetings in the coming days to discuss developments and plan for the action and will keep members updated on efforts to resolve the dispute.

09/02/07

The NUJ has negotiated an affordable insurance policy to protect freelance members against libel actions , breach of copyright and similar issues. Coming from Imaging Insurance, who already provide cover for photographers, the Writer policy provides freelance members involved in writing and broadcasting with professional indemnity and public liability insurance for as little as £251.25. This can also be paid in monthly instalments. The policy provides cover for libel and slander, infringement of copyright, breach of confidentiality, negligence and liability to the public. Cover is included for documents that are automatically lost or damaged, and withdrawal expenses if published material must be withdrawn and destroyed. Defence costs and expenses for legal cases are included. Cover like this usually costs thousands of pounds, out of the reach of most freelancers. Cover applies in whatever medium your material is published or broadcast, including books, local and national newspapers, magazines, specialist journals, private publications, websites, TV, radio, video and film.

The policy is exclusive to NUJ members (a huge benefit of joining!) and it will cover you for the work you have produced since the day your NUJ membership began! However, the price is only kept low if lots of members sign up for it, so it is important to participate. If you wish to inquire about the Writer policy contact Imaging Insurance on 01784 486890 or www.imaginginsurance.co.uk

The first Internet radio station in the UK run jointly by both Muslims and Jews has been launched in Bristol.

Radio Salaam Shalom has attracted media interest from around the world by bringing the two faiths together for the groundbreaking venture. The station will feature both Jewish and Muslim presenters and promises a lively mixture of music, talk and feature-led programmes.

While Radio Salaam Shalom hopes to focus on the faiths often overlooked similarities and shared culture, bosses have also vowed not to “duck” the potentially divisive issues over Palestine and Israel during live discussions. Farooq Siddique, a presenter and member of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society, said he hoped Radio Salaam Shalom would help improve community relations. “Basically when you think of two communities who don’t get on, the first one you think of is Jews and Muslims,” he said. “The idea behind the station, at a time when chasms are opening up between communities here in the UK and around the world, is to act as a bridge and bring communities together to discuss their problems.

“There’s so much we have in common. The Israel/Palestine issue has come to define Muslim and Jewish relations, but prior to that the relationship was the exact opposite.”

The idea for the station was dreamed up by Jewish and Muslim students at Bristol University and the University of the West of England, as a means of forging closer links with each other.

Radio Salaam Shalom was set up after receiving a £50,000 grant from the government’s Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund and has taken nine months to set up. The group is made up of around 35 volunteers and will be broadcast in English.

http://www.salaamshalom.org.uk/

As New York came under attack on September 11th 2001, janitor William Rodriguez bravely remained in the North Tower to help save dozens of lives. The last man out as the tower was collapsing, he has since been honoured five times by the White House for outstanding courage. After the 9/11 attacks, William helped coordinate the efforts of survivors’ and victim’s families’ to lobby the US government to hold an enquiry into what happened that day. When he came to give evidence, he was one of the only witnesses the 9/11 Commission heard behind closed doors.  None of his testimony – nor that of several other eyewitnesses – was included in the Commission’s final report, published in July 2004. He now leads two 9/11 campaigns representing the interests of survivors, victims and relatives of the dead: the Victims Support Group and Hispanic Victims Group. As part of his UK tour William is in Bristol on the 5th February to tell his story at the IMAX Cinema, @Bristol, Harbourside. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the event begins at 7:00pm. Tickets are priced at £6, with a £4 concessionary rate available from the @Bristol box office on 0117 915 5000. Tickets are also available online, see www.911truthbristol.com – or call Ticket Web on 08700 600100.

Christina Zaba, Chair of Bristol NUJ will introduce William and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Proceeds from the event are being given to William to support his campaigning.

Links: William’s personal website - http://www.911keymaster.com UK Tour – http://www.last-man-out.com William Rodriguez on Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Rodriguez

Hello to all our members,

Our next NUJ Bristol Branch Meeting is on Thursday 8th February, at Cafe Halo, 141 Gloucester Road, Bristol, 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Amendments to Motions for the NUJ’s Centenary Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM), April 2007.

We are having this Branch meeting soon after our previous one, as there are more motions to the NUJ’s Annual Delegate Meeting to be discussed. Though the deadline for proposing any new motions has passed, we can still propose amendments at a Branch meeting to both our own motions and any others already published in the preliminary agenda, before the deadline for compiling the final agenda on 12th February.

The preliminary agenda is available online on the main NUJ website: http://www.nuj.org.uk/inner.php?docid=1072

The Branch meeting can also choose to mandate our Bristol delegates on how to vote on any particular motion. The union is obliged to put into practice all decisions agreed at ADM meetings. It’s how union policy is driven - from Branch level up. So now is your chance to have your input into what the union does for you as a member.

We can also hear about what has been happening within the Branch, the Chapels, and Freelance issues.

So please come along, share your thoughts and ideas and help make your union work for you! You’ll be very welcome.

We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 8th February.

Simon Chapman

Branch Secretary