Union bosses have signed what is being hailed as a landmark deal for freelances with an investigative journalism platform.

The National Union of Journalists has signed a recognition agreement with Glasgow-based title The Ferret.

The NUJ has described the move as “highly significant because, as we understand it, all the journalists involved are freelances”.

UK law offers no mechanism to require publishers to negotiate terms for freelances.

Alastair Brain, father of The Ferret’s NUJ chapel, said: “Our journalists promote transparency and hold power to account, so it is important to be able to collectively support workers on the website.”

Ferret co-chair Rachel Hamada added: “The Ferret is a co-operative with places reserved for journalists and readers on the board.

“We were founded with a mission to ensure investigative journalism is resourced properly.

“We want The Ferret to be a great organisation to work with for everyone and so we are delighted to recognise the Ferret chapel of the NUJ and welcome their support.”

And John Toner, pictured, national organiser for Scotland at the National Union of Journalists, said: “We are delighted that The Ferret has agreed to recognise the NUJ for the purposes of collective bargaining.

“All staff are freelance, and it is very rare, possibly unique, to achieve a recognition agreement that covers solely freelance workers.

“We appreciate the constructive approach taken by The Ferret board, and we wish all companies were so progressive in their dealings with the NUJ.”