Inconsistent on the Continent

THE COVERAGE given to the Reuters-Thomson’s merger deal in the last issue does not reflect the situation of members outside the UK. Yes, UK staff got to choose either a generous exit or to retain their terms of work.

Yes, the union did well by these members. But what about those outside the UK? In Paris, Milan, Brussels, Stockholm, Amsterdam and others, there has been no deal. These members have been left on their own.

Here in Paris, for example, staff formerly at AFX — gobbled up in a previous merger — have contracts that are not being honoured.

Their choice appears to be to work more hours on unchanged salaries (in general well below those of their counterparts), quit with no compensation or go to law. Nobody can call that a great deal.

We haven’t given up. We’re hoping the union can help improve the situation but for the time being while patting ourselves on the back over our deal for UK staff, let’s not forget our members in Reuters-Thomson’s on the continent.

Matt Gill
Ffather of chapel, Reuters‑Thomson’s Paris bureau

Jim Pollard
Chair, Paris branch

The union has now instructed its officials to make sure, when they are seeking recognition with a company, to try to include all members, staff and freelance, working for it in offices outside the UK, even where they are on different terms and conditions.