NUJ conference:

Strong support for minimum wage demand

THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists held its annual delegates' meeting (ADM) in Liverpool from 23-26 March. The issue of job cuts within the media industry, as well as low pay were on everybody's minds.

Socialist Party members in the union have for a long time supported and actively campaigned for the union to launch an official minimum wage demand. Manchester and London Freelance branches, as well as the Freelance industrial council were supporting a £26,000 minimum wage demand after months of lobbying by Socialist Party members.

Unfortunately, the national union leadership decided to oppose the motion at the ADM. However, they badly miscalculated the mood in the workplaces. Working journalists are fed up with earning poverty wages, while bosses have up to 30% profit margins.

So when national executive (NEC) speakers rose to oppose the demand, they only earned abuse from the conference floor. The minimum wage demand got a massive majority vote. Socialist Party member Molly Cooper spoke for the minority position on the NEC and Christian Bunke seconded the motion.

"Journalism matters" will be the title of a campaign against job cuts and for high quality journalism. It will involve local and national rallies, lobbies of politicians and publicity stunts. Socialist Party members support the campaign as a vital part in building the struggle against the job losses.

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