Victory for Equality
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NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE Informedissue 30 Feb 2020 The judgment highlighted the lack of Victory for equality transparency and inconsistency in the BBC’s approach to setting pay: “The BBC found itself in difficulties in this case because it did not (and, to an extent, still does not) have a transparent and consistent process for evaluating and determining pay for its on-air talent.” So far this year, in equal pay claims alone, NUJ members have secured many millions in compensation and back pay, plus increases in salary. Michelle said: “The tribunal outcome was a major victory, and about as emphatic a verdict as we could have hoped for. Samira’s determination to be treated properly has also inspired women in other workplaces to stand up and fight for pay parity.“ Samira tweeted: “Just want to say: thank you to everyone who supported me and understands equal pay is about men and women as allies. To my amazing union @NUJofficial who backed Emphatic judgment: Michelle Stanistreet and Samira Ahmed after the tribunal supported the BBC’s me. And to the Ford Dagenham and presenter’s case that she had been discriminated against over pay. Grunwick women who blazed the trail & to whom I’ll always be grateful.” The decision by the NUJ to back keynote speaker at the TUC’s Women’s Samira’s victory was mirrored in Samira Ahmed’s equal pay claim at conference and address the NUJ’s Ireland where the union helped secure an employment tribunal resulted in Delegate Meeting in April. €100,000 for former executive TV a resounding victory for the union The BBC’s legal team had cited Jeremy producer Anne Roper from RTÉ, which and BBC presenter, and has been Vine’s ability to have a “glint in his eye” had forced her to retire against her celebrated throughout the union or to be “cheeky” as a reason for the wishes at 65. RTÉ argued she had to go world. discrepancy, but this was dismissed to allow younger talent to progress at the The landmark judgment was as directions, such as “roll your eyes”, station. unequivocal in supporting her case appeared on his script. The judges heard Anne claimed discrimintion and the against the BBC for paying a man, he was paid £3,000 per episode in 2018 Workplace Relations Commission, in its Jeremy Vine, six times the amount despite being viewed as up-and-coming ruling, said other employees had been she was getting for doing a similar talent. allowed to continue beyond 65 and that programme. The panel agreed that she The result was cheered by colleagues Anne had been keen to train younger was doing “like work” on Newswatch and friends who had shown their support producers. It awarded her the equivalent to his on Points of View. The BBC and by marching alongside Samira and NUJ to a year’s salary. Samira have now reached a settlement. general secretary Michelle Stanistreet Séamus Dooley, Irish Secretary, said: Samira, who met the union’s to the tribunal hearings. It also led to “The NUJ did its best to secure a local Parliamentary Group and discussed the the BBC showing a new willingness to resolution; Anne should not have been need for the right to know how much resolve some of the many outstanding forced to go to the WRC and it is most colleagues are earning, will now be the equal pay cases at the corporation. regrettable that RTÉ has now appealed.” Also Delegate Cairncross BBC in this Meeting Review in peril issue: Page 4 Page 8 Page 10 02 Informed Séamus Says Imagine a world where you can’t trust the news and to undermine the media. The governments on how to better protect threats are felt at local level, nationally journalists and media freedom, has and globally. called for targeted sanctions as a tool In Northern Ireland female journalists to enforce governments’ international have been the target of vicious online human rights obligations, including abuse. NUJ intervention has been crucial their obligation to respect free speech in securing police action. In Derry, and protect the media. where Lyra McKee was killed last April, The report, authored by human rights another female journalist has been the lawyer Amal Clooney, said: “Media As DM looms, the subject of sectarian abuse and threats of freedom has been in decline for a decade, union has a lot of intimidation. through systemic censorship as well as Leona O’Neill, who witnessed Lyra’s relentless attacks on journalists ranging battles to fight and killing, was branded a “tout” and “an from online harassment to arbitrary issues to debate, informer” on walls in the Creggan and detention and extra-judicial killings. denounced as “a shit stirrer”. The graffiti Many governments are refusing to hold says Séamus also falsely and dangerously linked perpetrators of such attacks to account, Dooley, assistant Leona to MI5. and in many places the governments are For Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey, the perpetrators. International sanctions general secretary the battle to secure justice following their targeting individuals responsible for the vindication by the Lord Chief Justice of abuses can highlight their misconduct, Northern Ireland is still going on. The limit their impact and act as a deterrent And so, it’s nearly time to head for Police Service of Northern Ireland has to future misdeeds. Such sanctions are Southport again. still not returned materials seized in the indeed, in the current global political The union’s biennial delegate unlawful raid on their homes and offices climate, often the only way to hold those conference is a time to take stock, to and the makers of No Stone Unturned responsible to account.” celebrate success, review failures and have yet to secure justice. This is something the NUJ supports; plan for the future. As evident in this As a global union the NUJ is mindful there must be a real commitment by edition we can be proud of what we have of the threats to colleagues around the governments to fight impunity for achieved against enormous odds. world and the news from Iran is cause for crimes committed against journalists. Inevitably the focus this year will grave concern. Since the beginning of That is why the NUJ is working with the be on the financial challenges facing the year the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Federation of International Journalists the union as we seek the support of Corps (IRGC) have raided the homes to promote a UN Convention to protect delegates for an increase in membership of at least six journalists in Tehran, journalists and media workers. subscriptions so we can continue confiscating documents and reporting In America Trump continues his nasty serving members throughout the UK equipment. verbal assaults on the media and we and Ireland. These arbitrary raids are part of a can expect his behaviour to worsen as We will also look at how we recruit and disturbing pattern of behaviour in the November’s election looms into sight. organise, how we run our chapels and run up to this month’s general election, Indeed, the UK government and its branches, how the NUJ serves you, the which saw hardline conservations aides have been accused of playing by member. elected to power with the lowest turnout the Trump playbook in its treatment of As we prepare for DM it feels like since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. journalists. journalists and journalism are under A report by the UK government’s Against this backdrop the importance siege at home and abroad. On every front Independent High Level Panel of Legal of public service broadcasting is there are attempts to thwart journalists, Experts on Media Freedom, set up last reinforced and for the NUJ the threats to to make it more difficult to do our jobs year by the UK and Canada to advise public service broadcasting in the UK and Informed 03 Ireland are a source of real concern. It’s a threat that is not confined to these isles. Look east treated himself recently Imagine a world where Boris Johnson and his advisors Diary Sally Chidzoy, to a bolthole in Greece. appear to be on a mission against Cambridge branch’s As a result, he was able you can’t trust the news the BBC. The undermining of public TV detectives new chair surely to advise his fellow service broadcasting would have major Spark up the TV has a claim to be our NEC members on the consequences for democracy in the UK. detector van. Speaking most journalistically ingenious solution to During the election campaign Michelle at a Tortoise think-in, decorated lay official? television licensing Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, run by the slow-news For 30 years Chidzoy pioneered in the warned against what she termed organisation and hosted was the doyenne of the birthplace of democracy. “flagrant bullying rhetoric” targeted at by its founder, former BBC’s East Anglian Each household’s the BBC and Channel 4 and her worse director of BBC News television news, contribution to the state fears have been confirmed. James Harding, Amber during which time she broadcaster is simply The plan to decriminalise the non- Rudd, the ex-Home scooped a cabinet full added to their electricity payment of the licence fee is a vindictive Secretary was discussing of reporting gongs, bill. Disconnection act devoid of principle. the future of the BBC including a Royal discourages non- In Ireland RTÉ faces a financial crisis licence, saying she Television Society payment. Curran, after years of political cowardice by doubted her two children award. Her arrival at an unashamed politicians unwilling to risk unpopularity in their 20s paid it.