AddThis SmartLayers

NUJ raises stakes over wages

The NUJ has compared senior journalists’ wages at the Derby Evening Telegraph with what trainee managers earn at McDonalds – claiming the newspaper staff earn less.

Northern regional organiser Miles Barter has written to editor Mike Norton in the first salvo of a campaign to secure a nine per cent pay rise across the board.

He said in the letter that an increase of at least twice the national average rise in earnings, currently around 4.5 per cent, is needed to bring the pay of the newspaper’s journalists back in line with other workers.

Miles said: “Trainee managers on their first day at work with McDonalds earn £17,000 per annum. Fully qualified senior journalists on your paper earn less than this. Our members wonder why they are worth less than McDonalds trainees with no experience.

“It has also been brought to my attention that the paper is short-staffed compared to the number of people employed a few years ago. This means extra work for our members and we would hope that that would be recognised in any pay settlement.

“The NUJ believes that good local papers rely on recruiting and retaining talented staff and that this can only be done if they are paid a proper rate for the job.”

The branch is hoping the letter will pave the way for pay talks with the company.

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]