Next branch meeting on Tuesday 5 March

Our next branch meeting will be on Tuesday 5 March at 7.30pm in the 'lounge' at the Iron Duke, Waterloo Street, Brighton.

Agenda

1. Welcome & apologies
2. Election of new members
3. The fight for jobs at the BBC - Following last month's one-day strike, Paul Sawtell and Paul Siegert from BBC Sussex NUJ will report on the ongoing dispute
4. Defend the NHS - why we're supporting Thursday's public meeting with Caroline Lucas
5. Future meetings - please bring your ideas!
6. Communications
7. Treasurer's report
8. Other reports (including Argus, trades council)
9. AOB

We hope you can make it. The meetings are alway a nice informal opportunity for members to meet, catch up on NUJ news and bring ideas for branch activity.

Thanks to everyone who come to the Christmas party at the Mesmerist in December. It was great to see so many members out and about, and lots of people said how much they enjoyed the talk and social, particularly people who considered themselves 'lapsed' or 'out of the loop'.

We will be organising another social event soon, so if anyone would like to get involved, get in touch with Phil Mellows, Branch Secretary on nujbrighton@gmail.com

BBC on 24-hour strike

BBC Sussex picket line. Photo by Melita Dennett

On 18 February 2012, there was a 24-hour strike at the BBC. Full story as it unfolds at http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2815.

Michelle Stanistreet, said:

"NUJ members across the BBC are taking action to defend jobs and quality journalism at the corporation. They are angry and frustrated at the poor decisions being taken at the top of the BBC - decisions that are leading to journalists being forced out of their jobs and quality journalism and programming compromised.

"Instead of making sure that the redeployment process works properly in all areas of the BBC, managers are prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies and sacrifice the livelihoods of experienced and talented journalists, at the same time as advertising other jobs externally. It's particularly disappointing that the BBC has failed to engage meaningfully in attempts to resolve this dispute - an abdication ofresponsibility for a public service broadcaster."

NUJ members across the BBC - in Scotland, in BBC South, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, News, Five Live, the Big Screens, the World Service and English Regions - remain at risk of compulsory redundancy.

BBC jobs have been externally advertised while experienced and skilled staff, who face losing their livelihood, have not even been considered.

The NUJ has put forward constructive proposals to the BBC to resolve this dispute. The BBC has been asked for a moratorium on all job cuts for a six month period, to allow for talks and negotiation with the new Director General. So far the BBC has not responded to this request.

What you can do to help
- Visit your local picket line to show solidarity.
- Send messages of support by emailing: campaigns@nuj.org.uk
- Tweet your messages of support with the hashtag  #BBCStrike
- Email the BBC Trust to tell them you support the strike to stop the cuts: trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk or if you would like to make a general comments or ask a question about the BBC you can call 03700 100 222; textphone 03700 100 212
- Ask your local MP to sign the BBC redundancies early day motion