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Union wins recognition at regional daily

nujlogoThe National Union of Journalists has announced it has achieved statutory recognition at the South Wales Argus in Newport.

A majority of journalists at the Newsquest-owned title said they wished to be represented by the union in pay and other negotiations with management in future.

As a result the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) has now declared the union is recognised to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the editorial staff.

It will now seek to negotiate a house agreement on pay with the newspaper, in place of the current system of individual contracts.

John Toner, the NUJ national organiser for Wales, said: “We delighted that the CAC has accepted our evidence that the majority of the journalists working at the Argus wish to be represented by the NUJ.

“We look forward to negotiating a house agreement with the Newsquest management, and to having a constructive relationship with the employer that will benefit our members.

“This would not have been possible without the energy and enthusiasm of Hayley Mills, the Mother of Chapel, who has worked very hard at recruiting her colleagues to the union.

“A number of issues have arisen over the past year of great concern to the staff, and we hope that problems will now be resolved through consultation and negotiation.”

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “This is excellent news for the journalists working at the South Wales Argus. Now they will have a say in their working conditions, instead of having them imposed.

“It is also good news for the newspaper; members will be arguing to ensure that they are able to produce a quality product for the readers.”

The Central Arbitration Committee is an independent body, with statutory powers, which resolves collective disputes in workplaces England, Scotland and Wales, either by voluntary agreement or, if necessary, through a legal decision.

The South Wales Argus has declined to comment.

3 comments

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  • June 14, 2016 at 11:47 am
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    Both staff members are delighted saying ‘we are delighted to have the union represent us, despite their lack of ability to actually do anything these days’

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  • June 14, 2016 at 11:55 am
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    Hurrah! And well done Hayley Mills.
    If more journalists had backed their union for better working conditions all those years ago, perhaps we wouldn’t have so many of them moaning at the state of newspapers today.
    The very best of luck to the South Wales Argus.

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  • June 14, 2016 at 12:58 pm
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    I’m in Unison now and they provide a wide range benefits for members and their families that are unrelated to work. There was nothing like this when I was in the NUJ, and the NUJ would do well to offer similar services. Loyalty and comradeship reap rich dividends.

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