While the dispute with the BBC continues, the NUJ continues its everyday campaigning to unionise the whole industry. Such an effort, for example, has been ongoing for years at the anti union employer DC Thomson in Dundee.
The skills of its journalists, cartoonists and editors have been renowned over decades for popular publications such as The Beano, The Dandy, Sunday Post, Dundee Courier and Evening Telegraph. Now a strategically parked lorry complete with hoardings advertising the benefits of union membership has become the latest tactic in this campaign.
NUJ membership has now risen dramatically at a crucial time when the company is attempting to increase hours and freeze wages. A milestone was reached recently when NUJ Scottish Organiser Paul Holleran faced the management for the first time representing an NUJ member.
Branch meetings especially for DC Thomson workers are now regular and a dedicated website for them has been launched: www.nujdundee.co.uk – a good example of union building in time of adversity.
Similar activity around Britain includes the 90 per cent vote for industrial action to protect jobs on the Brighton Evening Argus on 19 November – management wants to move subediting posts to Southampton. Many local newspaper centres are affected by the continuing struggle against the Newsquest corporation’s plans to force its workers to re-apply for their jobs and accept lower rates and conditions. Growing unrest and opposition to this has led to proposed industrial action in publications such as Bradford’s Telegraph and Argus, the Ilkley Gazette, Wharfedale & Airedale Observer and the Keighley News.