Date for your diary: Next LMB meeting – January 20, 6.30pm hybrid. We’ll be talking all things Delegate Meeting 2025 (the NUJ’s bi-annual conference).
More details to follow.
In the meantime, you can catch up on all the latest NUJ news here: https://lnkd.in/ey5_iAGy And The Freelance news here: https://lnkd.in/euevPkDa NUJ Christmas hours and emergency legal numbers: https://www.nuj.org.uk/resource/nuj-christmas-hours-emergency-legal-numbers-2024.html
Guardian and Observer NUJ branch statement: (9 Dec 2024)
OVER THE PAST 48 hours, journalists at the Guardian and Observer have been taking part in a historic strike to oppose the transfer of the Observer to Tortoise Media. Our industrial action was backed by 93 per cent of members and saw support from parliamentarians and union leaders, as well as prominent artists, musicians, actors and other cultural figures. We are all equally passionate about preserving the integrity of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper.
So we were outraged to wake up to news this morning that members of the Scott Trust had chosen to approve the deal while our action was taking place. The decision to move ahead with the deal, in principle, underlined their refusal to take on board the well-founded objections and strength of opposition from journalists and readers.
This chapel is still opposed to the transfer and believes that by ramming this deeply unpopular and opaque deal through they have undermined their values and sparked a crisis in governance, a responsibility that lies at the door of the boards of the Scott Trust and Guardian Media Group. The Guardian and Observer has a long and proud history of journalists’ participation in the organisation; this has never felt more at risk. We urge the company to pause, reconsider all options and the impact this will have on the standing of the Observer and the long-term future of liberal journalism.
Two days of strikes take place next week [12-13 December] and the Guardian and Observer NUJ chapel will be meeting to consider further actions.
We are grateful for the support shown by our readers and the wider public.
NUJ London Magazine branch sends warm solidarity greetings to the Guardian & Observer Chapel as you embark on strike action over the planned sale of the Observer to loss-making Tortoise Media.
We fully support the call for the board of the Scott Trust to withdraw its support for the sale of the Observer and to fully support the title and secure employment of its journalists and all other staff.
Niall Mulholland, Chair, London Magazine branch
London Magazine Branch urges members to support the strikes.
This month’s meeting will be focused on finalising motions for next year’s Delegate Meeting (DM) the NUJ’s biennial national congress. The NUJ is a democratic union and all members can influence policy – this is your chance to come along to share ideas on motions.
The branch has received the attached draft motions for debate so far.
We will also be voting on the 8-person delegation to send to DM – so if you want to have a say in branch and union policies, and if you are interested in joining DM as a branch delegate or putting your nomination forward to any of the NUJ councils and committees, please join us either in person or online via the Zoom link.
Motions and nominations must be submitted by the deadline of 27 November 2024.
As always, RSVP for the branch meeting is not necessary but it’s helpful if you are attending in person to get enough refreshments for everybody.
We look forward to seeing you!
London Magazine Branch Committee
Agenda
• Approval of October meeting minutes • DM motions (including motions attached to this email) • Nominations for NUJ councils and committees • Workplace reports • NEC report • Branch finances • Branch banner • Donation to branch Chapel for training workshop • AOB
Contact for any queries (please use all email addresses for a speedier response):
