Branch meeting: Wednesday 23rd May

Branch meeting: Wednesday 23rd May, The Iron Duke, Brighton, 7.30pm

Our next branch meeting will take place at the Iron Duke pub in Brighton. The Iron Duke is easy to find, just off the seafront near to Brunswick Square - we'll be in the function room behind the main bar. The main item on the agenda will be branch motions for the NUJ Delegates Meeting in September.

Submissions for other items of discussion are welcomed via nujbrighton@gmail.com and more will be taken on the night. A full agenda will be published on the website soon.

What we want more than agenda points, though, is for more members to come along to these regular meetings. As we discussed with NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet last time, these are challenging times for UK journalists – and the more active members we have the greater the role we can play in helping to shape the future of the industry in our area.

What we need are ideas, suggestions and thoughts about future events that will make our branch even stronger and a better resource for you, its members.

See you next Wednesday.

Book launch

Brighton Branch former officer Susanna Quinn launches her debut novel. She writes:

Dear Brighton NUJ,

You are invited to the following event at Brighton Waterstones: A Summer Evening in Japan

Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine, quizzes, reading recommendations and Japanese-inspired fun, to celebrate the launch of mystery-thriller, Glass Geishas. A great night out for book groups and book lovers.

14th June, 19.30 - 21.00 at Brighton Waterstones, Clock Tower, Brighton.

We have a limited number of spaces for journalists (around 15, depending on other guest numbers), but when they're gone, they're gone!

Su xx
Susanna Quinn
The Writing Company
www.bookgroupbooks.com

Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, April 18

At its 2012 AGM Brighton & Mid-Sussex branch was lucky enough to have general secretary Michelle Stanistreet speaking on The Leveson Inquiry – what does it mean for journalists.

Michelle talked about the impact the NUJ is having on the inquiry, provoking an interesting discussion the role the union can take in promoting ethical journalism and in defending journalists from the pressures they are put under by ruthless, bullying newspaper managements.

The conclusions are clear: journalism needs the NUJ Code of Conduct, and journalists need the NUJ, organised into strong chapels.

AGM
In the business part of the meeting, following reports on branch activity over the past year, the following were elected as officers:

Chair – Adam Powley
Secretary – Phil Mellows
Treasurer – Amy Riley
Trades Council delegates – Phil Mellows and Ollie Wilson
In addition, Adam Oxford will take a temporary ad-hoc role in updating the branch membership list and improving communications.

Following a request through Brighton & Hove Trades Council the branch agreed to make a £25 donation to towards the campaign against the racist March for England.

NEXT MEETING
The next full branch meeting will take place on Wednesday May 23, 7.30pm (venue tbc).
Main item on the agenda will be branch motions for the NUJ Delegates Meeting in September.
If you have a motion please send it to nujbrighton@gmail.com by May 23.

AGM Agenda

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ
Wednesday, April 18

AGENDA

The Leveson Inquiry – what does it mean for journalists?
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Apologies

New Members

Secretary’s Report
Phil Mellows, acting branch secretary

Treasurer’s Report
Phil Mellows

Branch Elections
Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Other roles – membership, social media etc

Correspondence

Reports

Next Branch Meeting
Must be before June 1 for motions to Delegates Meeting

Next Committee Meeting

Announcements / Any Other Business

Next meeting: Michelle Stanistreet on Leveson + AGM

We would like to invite you to our next Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ branch meeting and Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 18 April 2012 at the Iron Duke pub, 7.30pm-9pm.

NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet will be speaking on 'Leveson - what does it mean for journalists' from 7.30-8.30pm with time for questions.

We will then have a brief business meeting and AGM from 8.30-9pm, followed by drinks and socialising.

The AGM will include a chance for any interested members to join the branch committee and help shape future meetings and activities. Any questions, please contact nujbrighton@gmail.com

Iron Duke, 3 Waterloo Street, Brighton and Hove, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1AQ. The pub has disabled access. www.irondukebrighton.co.uk

Read Michelle Stanistreet’s statement to the Leveson Inquiry http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/16/michelle-stanistreet-leveson-inquiry

Follow her on Twitter: @NUJ_Michelle

Christmas Party

The Brighton and Mid-Sussex NUJ Christmas Party is taking place next week, Tuesday 20 December at Redroaster Coffeehouse, 1d St James Street, Brighton 8-10.30pm.

Join us for another glorious gathering of NUJ members for free drinks, food, music - and free Harveys (while supplies last!) As always, non-members are very welcome, but will be expected to pay for their own drinks.

Venue: Click here for a handy venue map. Disabled access

We look forward to seeing you then!

The NUJ Team

30 November march

The NUJ Brighton and Sussex branch demo on the day of action. Apologies to Adam Oxford, who is behind a placard.

Defending pensions and local news...

Our NUJ leaflet for Wednesday...

Our Banner!

Thanks to our Branch Secretary, we now have our very own banner to rally round. Look out for it next Wednesday 30 November at the march: 11.30 in Victoria Gardens.

Defend pensions - come and join the day of action

On Wednesday, November 30, a national day of action will be held to defend public sector pensions. A number of sister unions will be striking on the day, while rallies, marches and protests will be held around the country.

This promises to be the largest co-ordinated action by trade unions for many years. As NUJ members, it is important we recognise the campaign and offer our support. Some of our fellow members will be on strike, while the attacks on public sector pensions affect everyone. Even if individual members do not take part, it is vital that journalists report the day’s events fairly and accurately

The NUJ will be represented at the march in Brighton, so please come along and look out for the banner. Those taking part will assemble at 11.30am at Victoria Gardens for a march to The Level. More details at: http://falseeconomy.org.uk/nov30/event/brighton-hove-march-and-rally

Look at the special website featuring news, videos and resources for the campaign on pensions: http://pensionsjustice.org.uk/

If you can't make the Brighton march there is also information on what’s happening, when and where around the region and the rest of country: http://falseeconomy.org.uk/nov30/uk/all

More details from the NUJ at http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2296

See also the posting below about the Save our local news campaign.

Save Our Local News

Save Our Local News! Message from the BBC Brighton NUJ chapel:

Dear listener,

We write to ask you for your support in helping to avert cuts to BBC Sussex which will seriously affect the quality of your local radio station.

You are not being told the truth by the BBC – here are the full facts.

The BBC has told you that there will be changes at BBC Sussex because of the cutbacks imposed by its Delivering Quality First programme. It has said that the afternoon programme and some other shows will be shared across stations.

But in fact the BBC has also announced plans to cut the equivalent of up to twelve staff jobs at BBC Sussex – a total of about one third of the staff.

The programmes that you listen to and contribute to require a small number of highly trained people, with an intimate knowledge of the kind of things that are of interest to listeners just like you.

So, if the BBC cuts one third of staff at BBC Sussex, then the quality of your programmes will inevitably suffer.

Fewer people will mean we can’t do the job that we have been doing for so many years. It will seriously affect our ability to report on the issues that concern you and in time it could affect the long-term chance of BBC Sussex surviving as a service.

We ask you to log on to the BBC website and register your views on the risk to BBC Sussex - your local radio station before 21st December.
You need to go here: http://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/bbc/dqf/. Click 'Online consultation' and read the section 'Delivering Quality First: Public Consultation - Section 4: Nations and Regions'

You can read about what the BBC says and then you can register your own views.

BBC Brighton NUJ chapel

Support BBC journalists

BBC Local Radio journalists are facing 25% job cuts and have balloted for strike action. The Brighton & Mid-Sussex Branch of the NUJ has organised a meeting to discuss what's happening and how we can help. Paul Siegert and Paul Sawtell will be there from BBC Sussex NUJ. Please try and get along.

It's:

Monday, November 21, 8pm
Lord Nelson (back room), Trafalgar Street, Brighton.

Next meeting: What can your union do for you? What can you do for your union?

Calling all NUJ members!
What can your union do for you? What can you do for your union? Come along and find out...

Our next Brighton & Sussex NUJ branch meeting will take place:

7pm Monday November 14
at the Redroaster Cafe, St James's Street, Brighton
We will be joined by national officer (publishing) Don Mackglew

On the agenda for our November meeting:

- Election of branch committee members
At our October meeting a committee slate was proposed:
Peter Knight (as branch secretary)
Phil Mellows (as branch treasurer)
Amy Riley
Adam Powley
Adam Oxford
Fred Pipes
An Argus rep
A BBC rep

Come to the meeting or email us if you wish to stand for any of these positions, branch chair, equalities officer, health & safety officer, and any specific position you think our branch should have for its members. We hope to create a flexible and open branch committee to meet all members' needs, which is open to anyone who wants to come and take part. The more the merrier. Please call or email if you'd like further information about standing for any of these positions, what's involved and how you can help.

- Further job losses at the Argus
A report from Argus workers about management's plans and a discussion about how we can all build support for any action.

- Balloting for action in the BBC in response to cuts
Do you work for the BBC? Have you received your ballot yet? Come along to this meeting to find support.
http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2299

- Supporting potential public sector strike action over pensions on November 30
What is your opinion on the strike? How can NUJ members support the fight for fair pensions for all? Shall we get a branch banner and march alongside fellow workers?

- Festive season party!
It's that time of year again... What shall we do? Come along with ideas for venues and events.

- Any other business
As always, what can we do to help you? How can you help your union?

Our union is only as good as we make it and your involvement is greatly welcomed, so please email us with any ideas, future meeting topics, further agenda items and your concerns, problems and news. Solidarity is strength.

Call or email any time.

Thanks,

Peter Knight
(acting) branch secretary
nujbrighton@gmail.com

Next Branch meeting

The next meeting will be held at the Fountain Head Pub on North Road, on Tuesday 18 October at 7.30pm.

Map here.

Please try and attend. As you may know Rachael and Adam have both resigned from the committee, leaving Phil Mellows as the only remaining officer. This meeting was going to include the election for a new secretary to take over from Rachael, but this will now be in November as head office is taking over the election.

There is a real threat that the branch may close. This will mean no more local help with strikes and no local officers able to offer advice either in person or via phone/email. It will also mean an end to meetings with other local journos, no more talks such as the ones with Nick Davies, Andrew Crofts and Joanne Mallon, and no more Christmas parties, such as the one with Julie Burchill. Being an officer only takes up a few hours a month at the most, so please consider helping out.

Give Rachael a call on 07939 258 172 if you get lost on the night.

Brighton NUJ summer party

It's time for the Brighton NUJ summer party and we've decided to hold it indoors at The Mesmerist rather than attempt to hold it outside. The party attracts rain most years which is why this year we're not giving it a chance.

So put on your party frock and get ready to mingle with your Sussex colleagues while enjoying the free drinks. It's a great opportunity to network as well as catch up on the gossip.

The party will be kicking off at 7pm on Thursday 25 August in the downstairs bar of The Mesmerist (www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/mesmerist), which is slap bang in the centre of town. Non-members are also welcome so please bring along any journo friends.

If you need any help finding it on the night, please give Rachael a call on 07939 258 172,

Thanks,

Brighton NUJ