The severity of cuts announced at Trinity Mirror in Liverpool last winter shocked journalists at Trinity Mirror Chester HQ and the Crewe district office to come forward to join the union. Once the union had new members - we were able to submit a request for trade union recognition.

 

The company agreed to talk to the union about recognition and they agreed to allow voluntary recognition as long as an independent audit showed the NUJ had more than 50 per cent of editorial staff as NUJ members. The audit results showed the union had more than 70 per cent membership amongst the editorial staff so we were able to get recognition.

 

The result is a great win for the NUJ and now means all Trinity Mirror regional titles are covered by NUJ collective bargaining.

 

The new NUJ reps involved in the work were David Triggs and Claire Devine and they were supported by NUJ officials Lawrence Shaw and Chris Morley.

 

David Triggs, FoC said: "There have been several failed attempts to try to establish a Trinity Mirror chapel in Cheshire in recent years, so it's pleasing to now be in a position where a house agreement is in place.

 

"We've been close to having the required numbers in the past, but never quite close enough. Earlier this year, we were able to sign up about 15 new members - all in the space of a couple of weeks - and this took us comfortably over the 50% threshold.

 

"Regional organisers Chris Morley and Lawrence Shaw gave us first-rate support throughout."

 

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary said: “The recognition deal at Trinity Mirror is excellent news for the union and goes to show one of the many benefits of NUJ membership.

 

“A collective agreement is an agreement between employers and employees which means the NUJ can now formally represent all regional journalists at Trinity Mirror and we can take up issues on their behalf.

 

“Media employers in the UK often go to great lengths to keep the NUJ out of the office. Now the NUJ has recognition at all Trinity Mirror English regions we can have a positive impact on the workplace but we will not stop there – we will continue to work hard to convince other journalists that achieving national Trinity Mirror recognition would also make a big difference.”

 

 

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