Photos from the Southport DM

Our delegates: Amy, Melita and Ollie

Ollie presents our motion to conference

Our motion on doing more to retrain redundant journalists was carried, despite an intervention by General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet. Our late motion on maternity benefits was was withdrawn as NUJ had already addressed the issue of publicising fee reduction for parental leave. 

Photos by Observer Fred Pipes.

Report from Eastbourne DM

A full delegation from Brighton & Mid-Sussex branch attended the NUJ's Delegate Meeting in Eastbourne last weekend. There will be a full report-back and time for questions and discussion at the next branch meeting on Monday, April 28 (time and venue to be confirmed soon).

Fate of the branch's motions:

Motion 62 (Recruitment), instructing the NEC to make it easier for people to join the union online by streamlining the application process.

The NEC amendment, which effectively removed the instruction, was passed and the substantive motion agreed. A defeat for the branch, but we succeeded in opening up a dialogue with those responsible for the NUJ website and we hope that the required improvements follow.

Motion 101 (Ethics), calling for the NUJ to take a clear position on media regulation, post-Leveson, balloting the membership on the question of an independent regulator, underpinned by statute, and to promote its own representation on any bodies that are formed.

This was ruled out of order on a technicality only a few hours before it was due to be debated. Conference Standing Orders Committee (SOC), which makes such recommendations, apologised for not advising the branch at an earlier stage, when it would have been simple for the motion to be amended and put in order. We were offered the opportunity to effectively speak to the motion in the form of a question about the union's Annual Report, which we took, and we also challenged the decision in front of conference, but the attempt to reinstate the motion failed.

The branch was involved in two other motions:

Composite W (Government Policies), bringing together motions from a whole number of branches, including ourselves, on low pay, calling on the TUC to call a one-day general strike and other coordinated action. This was won. An amendment from the NEC cutting weakening the general strike call was defeated.

We were also among a number of branches proposing a late-notice motion on Egypt that aimed to involve the union in the campaign against repression, including the repression of journalists. This fell off the agenda because of lack of time.

Other debates and decisions worth highlighting:

The problems at Newsquest Group surrounding job losses and the transfer of subs to remote production hubs, affecting our members at the Argus, were discussed. We'll have a report from the chapel at the next branch meeting.

A broader definition of who can join the union, extending it more clearly to those in digital media and 'community journalists' was agreed. This is something the branch has been quite keen on, and we voted for it.

Subscriptions were increased, by 11% for Grade 1, 5% for Grade 2 and 7% for Grade 3. Branch delegates voted in favour.

A move towards earnings-related subs, while attracting support in principle, was defeated because of problems with its proposed implementation. Branch delegates voted against.

A further motion from the NEC giving it the power to increase subs between DMs was defeated. Again, branch delegates voted against.

DM voted, narrowly, to abolish the elected position of Deputy General Secretary and replace it with a non-elected Assistant General Secretary. Branch delegates voted against.

There was lots and lots of other stuff. Please come to the meeting on April 28 to hear more.

Phil Mellows

Revised motions for DM

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ
Motions for 2014 Delegates Meeting

New membership category

This DM notes that:

• The proliferation of digital media has drawn many 'non-journalists' into journalistic work
• Many people performing journalistic work are not strictly eligible for NUJ membership, not only making them vulnerable to exploitation through, for instance, unpaid work, but also putting them outside the ethical framework the NUJ can provide through the Code of Conduct

This DM instructs the NEC to explore the potential and practicalities of a new membership category that will enable the recruitment of people who do journalistic work but do not see the relevance of the NUJ to themselves or may not be eligible to join.

Membership applications

This DM notes the complicated and confusing structure of the online application process to join the NUJ that may inhibit recruitment.

This DM instructs the NEC to sort it out please.

Press regulation

This DM notes

• The ongoing debate on press regulation and the fundamental disagreements between industry representatives, politicians, and special interest groups 
• The need for journalists - not editors or owners - to express a clear and representative view on regulation 
• The changing situation since the union's submissions to the Leveson Enquiry

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Review the union's position and organise a union-wide ballot to vote for or against a system of independent press regulation underpinned by statute, thereby establishing a unified policy expressed by the whole membership.
2. Ensure the NUJ enjoys full representation on any bodies that result from this debate

Press freedom

This DM notes the erosion of free speech exemplified in the treatment of The Guardian newspaper over the Edward Snowden affair, and that journalists are increasingly being regarded as the equivalent of terrorists and legitimate targets of state security measures.

This DM instructs the NEC to highlight this issue and redouble its support for journalistic integrity and press freedom.

War on austerity

This DM welcomes a motion carried by the TUC at its conference last September calling for mass joint strikes and peaceful civil disobedience across the country to “wage war on the politics of austerity”.

This DM notes:

• 13 million living in poverty, up by a million since the British government coalition came to power.
• 1.8 million families on housing waiting lists.
• half a million people now reliant on food banks.
• one million workers languishing on zero hour contracts.
• 2.5 million unemployed and 6.8 million more looking for more work.

This DM congratulates the TUC Congress for supporting unions taking co-ordinating action, including strikes, as the most effective way to break the cycle of pay restraint and cuts in jobs and services.

This DM agrees that an anti-austerity campaign should include mass industrial action, including a general strike, to oppose the cuts and the wrecking of the welfare state as well as a nationwide march against poverty in 2014.

This DM believes the money spent on waging war should be spent on food banks, putting people back to work, improving education and providing dignity for our elderly, not debt and despair.

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Campaign among the membership to support co-ordinated strikes with other unions against austerity cuts, pay and job losses in the media.
2. Campaign within the TUC for unions to name the day for co-ordinated strikes as soon as possible.

Agenda for next meeting and Motions for DM

Tuesday, 19 November, 7.30pm sharp
Red Roaster Cafe, St James Street, Brighton
Non-members welcome from 8.15pm

The next meeting will also consider motions for the NUJ Delegates Meeting.

Full agenda

1. Election of new members
2. Reports
3. Motions for DM (see below)
4. Any other branch business
5. Speaker: Dave Boyle
6. Questions and discussion

Will members please ensure they are at the Red Roaster by 7.30pm prompt.

Brighton & Mid-Sussex NUJ

Motions received for 2014 Delegates Meeting

Comments please to philmellows@btinternet.com

New membership category
This DM notes that:

• The proliferation of digital media has drawn many 'non-journalists' into journalistic work
• Many people performing journalistic work are not strictly eligible for NUJ membership, not only making them vulnerable to exploitation through, for instance, unpaid work, but also putting them outside the ethical framework the NUJ can provide through the Code of Conduct

This DM instructs the NEC to explore the potential and practicalities of a new membership category that will enable the recruitment of people who do journalistic work but do not see the relevance of the NUJ to themselves or may not be eligible to join.

Membership applications
This DM notes the complicated and confusing structure of the online application process to join the NUJ that may inhibit recruitment.

This DM instructs the NEC to sort it out please.

Press regulation
This DM notes

• The ongoing debate on press regulation and the fundamental disagreements between industry representatives, politicians, and special interest groups 
• The need for journalists - not editors or owners - to express a clear and representative view on regulation 
• The changing situation since the union's submissions to the Leveson Enquiry

This DM instructs the NEC to review the union's position and organise a union-wide ballot to vote for or against a system of independent press regulation underpinned by statute, thereby establishing a unified policy expressed by the whole membership.

War on austerity
This DM welcomes a motion carried by the TUC at its conference last September calling for mass joint strikes and peaceful civil disobedience across the country to “wage war on the politics of austerity”.

This DM notes:

• 13 million living in poverty, up by a million since the British government coalition came to power.
• 1.8 million families on housing waiting lists.
• half a million people now reliant on food banks.
• one million workers languishing on zero hour contracts.
• 2.5 million unemployed and 6.8 million more looking for more work.

This DM congratulates the TUC Congress for supporting unions taking co-ordinating action, including strikes, as the most effective way to break the cycle of pay restraint and cuts in jobs and services.

This DM agrees that an anti-austerity campaign should include mass industrial action, including a general strike, to oppose the cuts and the wrecking of the welfare state as well as a nationwide march against poverty in 2014.

This DM believes instead of proposing spending millions on war on Syria the money should be spent on waging war on food banks, putting people back to work, improving education and providing dignity for our elderly, not debt and despair.

This DM instructs the NEC to:

1. Campaign among the membership to support co-ordinated strikes with other unions against austerity cuts, pay and job losses in the media.
2. Campaign within the TUC for unions to name the day for co-ordinated strikes as soon as possible.

The Branch is also seeking nominations for the following posts

• NEC
• Ethics Council
• Photographers Council
• Industrial Councils - Broadcasting, Freelance, Magazine & Book, New Media, Newspapers & Agencies, PR & Information.

Motions for DM and Save our NHS

Motions for DM
The 2014 Delegate Meeting will take place in Eastbourne 11-14 April 2014. The deadline for submitting motions is 11 November. If you have a motion please get it to Phil Mellows on philmellows@btinternet.com before then please.

More info on http://www.nuj.org.uk/about/union-democracy/nuj-delegate-meeting/

Save our NHS
There will be a public meeting on Wednesday 18 September at 7.30 in the Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton. Speakers include Caroline Lucas MP and health economist Dr Lucy Reynolds. More info https://www.facebook.com/events/1417085491837254/

From the Newcastle DM

Brighton Branch secretary Phil Mellows puts motion 122 at the NUJ Delegate Meeting, Newcastle

Brighton Branch sent Phil Mellows and Fred Pipes to the NUJ Delegate Meeting, Newcastle, 5-7 October 2012. Our one motion, 122, in the Ethics section, was passed unanimously, after being moved by Phil. The other big news from the conference was that austerity measures to increase subscriptions by 5% and only hold the DM every two years were passed, but only after a close card vote, and both photographers and 60+ will get their own Councils. Full report to follow.

Fred (Alan) was interviewed by one of the student delegates, Leela Prasad - you can read his verbatim ramblings here: http://nujadm.org.uk/2012/interview-with-alan-pipes/ . You can find other interviews on that website too, along with news and analysis as reported by the journalism students.

View from our table. General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet is speaking. The gap behind president Donnacha DeLong is where a giant NUJ logo was - it fell off on the first day of the conference!

DM - a personal account from a first-timer

The NUJ DM in Southport 8-10 April 2011 was an initially bewildering but ultimately energising experience - 2.5 hard days of relentless speeches and voting. Here is my personal account, as a first-time delegate. I can't wait to get the next Journalist to see what actually was decided!

First: why DM? Well, that was answered in the very first motion that called for the Delegate Meeting to be made Annual again. Speakers against used the cost card and it was defeated 77 to 63. The discussion went on so long that the rest of the Order Paper was ruled out of time by the SOC (Standing Orders Committee). To understand what is going on we needed a mountain of paperwork: the Final Agenda booklet, the Annual Report and the Order Papers given out each morning and afternoon that outline any composite motions etc worked out by the 'horse trading' going on in back rooms. Any motions out of time were mopped up at the end of later sessions, and nothing was left out by the end.

In between motions we were treated to various presentations, including Members of Honour awards and an emotive address from Columbian journalist Claudia Julieta Duque. Most motions were carried unanimously; some spectacularly failed. One was a tie, the first in DM history. It was motion 144, proposed by the Irish Executive Council and calling for the workings of the Editorial Advisory Board of The Journalist to be reviewed. After a recount it was announced that under Standing Orders, the 54-54 tie would fail.

One motion that will directly affect our branch was no. 136 that amends rule 3, so that election to the union be no longer subject to a vote of hands at a branch meeting. All we can do is test that applicants meet the objective membership criteria as outlined by Rule 2 and they are in. Another interesting motion was no. 110 that ensures that only news (or information) gatherers are entitled to hold a press card - and that a new photo should be supplied on renewal. As someone pointed out, in the old days, everyone got a press card - I still get sent one, and the photo on it is ancient. Motion 91 condemning the actions of Newsquest will have relevance to our Argus members.

The 60+ group (I went along to their fringe meeting) was recognised for the first time in motion 69, although an amendment to pay expenses to meetings was defeated. In another motion 139 a plea to reduce the eligibilty for Life Membership to 30 years from 40 failed, again for cost reasons. The figure of £435,000 to implement this was disputed and it was also pointed out that people in the 'retired' category are not allowed to hold Branch offices or attend DM - something that will have to be looked into.

The DM was livened up by the presence of several student members sponsored by various branches, tweeting and making speeches. Internships versus work experience was a hot topic and motion 133 recommended ways we could attract more students into the union. London Freelance Branch's Cashback for interns campaign was praised, and the passing of Motion 128 could make membership easier in that you may only have to show you earn a quarter of your income from journalism, rather than half (subject to consultation). And no. 135 encouraged branches like ours to recruit more internet-related workers into the NUJ.

So, the message is: go out and recruit!

That's a quick round-up. I'll bring the paperwork along to the next meeting if anyone has any other questions.

Some other write-ups:

http://littlemiss-angelabrooks.blogspot.com/

http://londonphotographers.org/2011/04/nuj-delegate-meeting-report/

http://blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/7721

http://www.bristolnuj.org.uk/2011/04/11/dm-2011-what-happened/