Biennial Irish Delegate Conference meets online
The urgent need to tackle threats and challenges to journalists on several fronts, was the dominant theme of the biennial delegate conference.
Conference took place online for the first time on 5 February with no shortage of lively discussion on wide ranging priority issues facing members.
The joint address by outgoing Chair Dara Bradley and newly elected Siobhan Holliman (pictured), acknowledged the work of activists and officials in the face of multiple challenges over the last two years.
A New Dawn
Seamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, paid tribute to branches and chapels who had embraced new ways of working, and played a pivotal role in how the NUJ had supported members over the past two years. Whilst stressing the need for a new dawn that promoted regeneration across the entire media landscape, he hailed those who had worked tirelessly even when faced with adversity by the loss of loved ones and colleagues.
Conference recognised there had been no shortage of issues facing journalists in Ireland, and that the resilience of members had shone through. Motions addressed a range of concerns including the importance of trade union recognition, and our ongoing calls for measures outlined in the News Recovery Plan for Ireland.
The union’s efforts to ensure the protection of public service broadcasting continues, and conference heard about the importance of ensuring a sector-wide approach was adopted, avoiding traps of focusing solely on news provision or any other single area. The impact of public service journalism is felt across society, with culture, sports, art, entertainment and many other sectors key. As we recover from the pandemic, continuing our lobbying and engagement with politicians and leaders will ensure we actively campaign on key issues, and are well-prepared to whether the storm of challenges our members face.
Pay
The economic realities facing members has been felt by all across sectors. In her address to conference, Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, recognised that pay stagnation remains a live issue and confirmed campaigning work in coming weeks and months. This would include embarking on member pay claims as a priority, and require engagement and support from chapels, keen to ensure progress. To support this, a practical seminar for chapels is being finalised, and details will be shared shortly.
Protection of sources
Conference expressed support for Chris Mullin in his ongoing battle. This was amplified further, by Michelle Stanistreet for NUJ Informed this month, where she stated:
"That the NUJ stands shoulder to shoulder with Chris Mullin will come as no surprise to those who know our union."
Indeed, support for Mullin is felt across the NUJ, and our full backing will continue in coming months.
Safety of journalists
Conference noted that any attacks jeopardising the safety of journalists whether online or in person, would always be unacceptable. The union has been quick to defend members and condemn those posing threats, including through our Stand up for journalism campaign Concerns were captured too, about the unacceptable rise in threats from anti-vaccination groups, and those specifically targeting female journalists.
The untimely death of journalist Lyra Mckee presented a sombre moment for delegates, who reflected on Lyra’s significant contribution to journalism. A parliamentary film screening celebrating and paying tribute to her life, is being supported by the NUJ.
Whilst conference may be over, the work of the union is ongoing with renewed vigour from lively debate. Our work defending pay and terms and conditions, whilst celebrating the significant contribution of members throughout the pandemic must continue. Benefits of being an NUJ member were especially evident during the height of the pandemic, and our recruitment efforts will span workplaces in coming months.
The NUJ will promote the work of the union, increasing awareness amongst members and non-members across platforms, during HeartUnions Week from 14-20 February. Members are encouraged to engage using #heartunions #heartNUJ
Conference motions
1) NUJ Recovery Plan
This delegate conference welcomes the call for a 6% windfall tax on tech giants made in the excellent NUJ's Recovering from Covid Plan, where such a tax would help fund a News Recovery Plan.
This conference also notes and welcomes the legislation passed by the Australian parliament obliging digital giants such as Facebook Inc and Google pay local publishers for news content.
Conference instructs the incoming IEC to redouble its efforts and to mount a vigorous and public campaign to ensure similar legislation is enacted in Ireland.
Irish Southwest Branch
Proposer/Speaker - Norma Prendiville (Irish South West Branch)
Seconder/Speaker - Cearbhall O Siochain on behalf of IEC
2) Future of online meeting
This delegate conference congratulates the Irish Secretary and the staff of the Irish Office on keeping the show on the road during the pandemic. It also thanks the General Secretary and her staff and the officers of the union for the way in which they dealt with the unprecedented challenges on our behalf. It notes that changes have been forced upon the way this union organises its work.
The conference instructs the Irish Executive Council to consider what changes the union needs to make to reflect the experience of holding branch and other meetings online and how we might proceed in the future, incorporating the lessons learned. Recent experience suggests that online meetings could become part of the way in which members have their say in how the union is run and discussing other issues of interest, while retaining the all-important face-to-face meetings which are an essential part of union democracy. It calls on the Irish Executive Council to produce a report suggesting what changes in how we hold meetings are desirable and identifying what, if any, rule-changes may be required. This conference also notes the way in which Freelance Forums organised by Dublin Freelance Branch in 2020 and 2021 were recast as sequences of webinars and podcasts and it acknowledges the support of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in this regard.
Dublin Freelance Branch
Proposer/Speaker - Gerard Cunningham (Dublin Freelance Branch)
Seconder/Speaker – Carolyn Farrar on behalf of IEC
3)Trade Union Recognition
This delegate conference notes that refusals by media management and owners to recognise the NUJ continue and are proving more and more problematic when it comes to collective bargaining.
This conference instructs the incoming Irish Executive Council to continue highlighting this issue, to seek the backing of ICTU for a vigorous and public campaign to expose this practice, including a naming and shaming campaign.
Irish Southwest Branch
Proposer/Speaker – Norma Prendiville (Irish South West Branch)
Seconder/Speaker – Gerry Curran on behalf of IEC