Freelance breakthrough wins pay deal backing

MEMBERS in the Republic of Ireland are voting on the new national partnership agreement between unions, government and employers. The NUJ Irish Executive Council is recommending a “yes” vote.

The IEC said there was “clear disappointment” at the pay terms on offer, but there was a significant bonus for the NUJ in the promised change to competition law to allow freelance journalists to bargain collectively.

The deal provides for a national pay increase of 6 per cent over 21 months — after a three-month pay pause in the private sector and an 11-month pause in the public sector.

The government agreed to amend the Competition Act to grant negotiating rights to freelance journalists through an amendment of the Competition Act. Until now the Irish Competition Authority has viewed freelances as “undertakings”, so union attempts to represent them collectively or to set freelance rates was seen as anti-competitive and illegal.

Irish Secretary Seamus Dooley said the deal “marks a major achievement for the union following a ten-year campaign”.

The change will also benefit actors and musicians. The campaign for freelances by the NUJ and other unions was vigorously supported by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Séamus Dooley is a member of its executive council.