Pay rise was mine for the asking
IN THE midst of the climate of cutbacks and layoffs, I was able to successfully negotiate a £3,000 pay rise with the help of the Press and PR branch.
At last year’s annual conference in Belfast I heard a female delegate speak about how she successfully negotiated a £5,000 pay rise and of the huge pay discrepancy between her and a male co-worker. Her comments chimed with my experience.
I work as a press officer for a union representing health workers. A PA I work with was paid £2,000 more than I. The pay gap between my boss and I was at least £14,000 but I do all the ghost writing and successful story ideas pitches to national journalists.
When my annual review came in November I raised the issue of the discrepancy.
I was asked to submit a proposal for a review of my job and the NUJ’s recommended pay scales for press officers in London.
I contacted the Press and PR branch. Within an hour, I had emails stating that the rate should be between £31-34,000 (not including London weighting). I was being paid £25,500 including London weighting.
With Branch chair Mick Gosling I met the HR manager to negotiate. She was so impressed by Mick that she left our lunch early to type a memo recommending that I receive a £4,000 increase.
I actually received £3,000, but my experience proves that you can negotiate a rise even if you are not in a recognised NUJ chapel.
You can beat management with the support of your branch.
Name withheld by agreement