Going intoPR? Then stick with the union
You don’t have to give up your membership if you go into PR, says TIM JONES
NUJ MEMBERS are leaving the union just when they could need it most.
Journalists, mostly from provincial newspapers and freelances, are increasingly moving to jobs in communications and public relations. And many are lapsing because they don’t realise they can remain as members.
Some 450 newspaper members left the union in the second quarter of 2009, and yet only 70 new members joined the PR sector, which now represents more than 1,700 members.
Any that have taken PR jobs and left the NUJ would be putting themselves at risk. PRs are often the only journalist in their organisation, and that can be lonely when problems arise over the sort of things normally sorted out by union chapel or branch officers in newspapers, radio or TV, magazines or books.
This is where the union can offer invaluable help. The 18 members of the NUJ’s PR and Information Industrial Council (PRIIC) live all over the UK and can give assistance and advice. Their details are on the NUJ website www.nuj.org.uk.
If your work problem is more complex, then full-time NUJ Organisers can take over. These organisers achieve major successes. Even large organisations will usually cave in in the face of well-argued cases, many opting to settle rather than risk defeat at an Employment Tribunal.
Some employers don’t recognise the NUJ. But joint membership agreements exist with other unions, for example, in the public sector — where many journalists are taking up jobs — there is Unison, and a single subscription covers membership of both, with the other union looking after your workplace interests such as pay and employment conditions.
The NUJ subscriptions paid by PRs are not much higher than provincial newspapers — and less than in broadcasting or national papers — and in no case does a member have to pay more than 1 per cent of his or her income.
If you are a union rep, say on a local paper, and have members leaving to go into PR, please make them aware of how to transfer their membership to the right department. Tell them there’s no knowing when they’ll need our help!
And if you yourself have gone into a PR job and didn’t realise you could stay in the NUJ, give the union’s PR office a ring on 020 7843 3714 or email prandinfo@nuj.org.uk.
Tim Jones is chair of the NUJ Public Relations and Information Industrial Council