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London Magazine Branch

November 1999

Ed Moloney
PHOTO BY CRISPIN RODWELL

 
         ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
 

• Point of principle
   
• In the dock
   
• Branch meetings
   
• November agenda
   
• 1999 pay survey
   
• Branch round-up
   

If reporters come to be seen as evidence gatherers for the police, we lose our independence and the ability to do our jobs properly - and we become targets, too.

• Training council
   
• Meetings schedule
   
• Disabled members
   
• Countdown to ADM
   

Both cases involve Northern Ireland. Ed Moloney's case is well known (see below). Not so well known is that the Bloody Sunday inquiry has ordered several journalists and media organisations to hand over interview notes. The Saville tribunal, set up last January and due to start taking evidence next March, is still at the preliminary hearing stage.

At its October meeting the branch discussed the implications of this assault on journalism and wrote to the NUJ's general secretary John Foster urging the maximum support for members subpoenaed by the Saville tribunal (see the letter, right).

One reporter, the Daily Telegraph's former Irish correspondent, Toby Harnden, has been referred to the director of public prosecutions for destroying notes and audio tapes of interviews with two soldiers in order to protect his sources' identities.

Even though the head of news at Ulster Television has received death threats, Lord Saville has told the station to identify one source, believed to be the first paratrooper to open fire on 30 January 1972, when 14 unarmed demonstrators were shot dead by the British Army.

The tribunal has also asked the BBC to reveal Republican sources, and Channel 4 to identify several British soldiers it has spoken to. Testimony collected by the broadcasters helped push the Government to set up the tribunal.

The journalists targeted by Lord Saville were not witnesses to the Bloody Sunday massacre - some were not even born then. It is confidential interviews conducted long after the event that he wants to see the details of.

In the dock

"The RUC Special Branch and Northern Ireland's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions find themselves in the dock," said NUJ member Ed Moloney - who is being threatened with prison for refusing to hand over interview notes - following extraordinary events in court in early October.

Writing in the Sunday Tribune, Moloney said Belfast High Court judge Sheil's decision to grant bail to ex-UDA quartermaster and RUC agent William Stobie - the former Loyalist facing charges of murdering Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane 10 years ago - raised "fundamental questions" about alleged collusion between the RUC and Loyalists in Finucane's murder.

"Not least of those questions is why the Stevens team [detective John Stevens investigated the 1989 Finucane killing] is pursuing this Sunday Tribune reporter for notes of interviews with Stobie dating back to 1990 when from dramatic evidence presented by Stobie's counsel it appears the authorities, police and prosecutors, knew far more about the UDA killing - and much sooner - than any journalist."

Send messages of support to Ed c/o Dublin NUJ branch (brof@itw.ie)

Get the latest news about Ed's case at www.clubi.ie/nuzhound.

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Point of principle

To John Foster, NUJ general secretary

At its October meeting the branch discussed the possibility of the union being ordered to supply the names and contact details of NUJ members that the Bloody Sunday inquiry may decide to subpoena notes and information from.

The branch is outraged that our members may be once again facing the threat of prison if they refuse to divulge sources or notes. But we are equally concerned that members should not be left on their own to make the kind of courageous stand taken by Ed Moloney and Bill Goodwin.

We believe strongly that the NUJ should show the same level of support to its members as Ed Moloney has demonstrated to his sources. The union should not finger its 'sources' to the state either. We think it is unacceptable to hand over any members' details, even if it is done under protest.

We ask that the NEC issue a statement of its absolute determination to resist all attempts to turn journalists into police evidence gatherers. In particular, the NEC should state that:
1. The same principle of confidentiality towards sources applies to both Ed Moloney and to any journalists subpoenaed by the Bloody Sunday inquiry;
2. The NUJ will refuse categorically to hand over information about its members to the inquiry or police.

- London Magazine Branch

October's branch meeting elected our delegation to the union's annual conference, which will be held in April. There were nine candidates for the eight places. Our delegates are:

• Martin Cloake
• Tayo Fatunla
• Themon Djaksam
• Maggie Coates
• Alan Gibson
• Dave Blackman
• Tash Shifrin
• Gordon Jamieson

We also nominated four members as candidates for the NEC. Elections will be held next year. For the magazines seat they are:

• Chris Wheal
• Dave Blackman

• Mike Sherrington
• Martin Cloake
• Themon Djaksam
• Alan Gibson

The meeting also passed a motion to contribute £250 to the transport costs of the organisers of the previous month's 8,000-strong demonstration for trade union rights outside the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, to which the branch sent a delegation and the banner.

Following an announcement at the branch meeting that Austria's leading nazi, Jorg Haider, would be holding a press conference at a London hotel two days later, branch members attended a successful picket of his charm offensive. The poor man continues to be dogged by questions about why he thinks SS veterans are such "honourable men" and why Hitler had the "correct labour policies".

Members have been complaining recently about the state of the branch banner - it's too unwieldy in windy conditions and getting rather tatty. Expect a motion in the coming months proposing a new, lightweight replacement with shorter poles that doesn't threaten to become airborne in anything above a force 3. Design proposals welcome.

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Branch meetings

ALL branch meetings are held in Room 2D at the University of London Union.
The meeting will begin as soon as possible after 6.30pm. The meeting will finish by 8.00pm. There is a bar with very attractive prices and a cafe.

The branch is very happy to pay any member's baby-sitting expenses to allow them to attend meetings. Please see the treasurer if you require assistance. There is also a creche at the University of London Union. Please phone a member of the branch committee a week before the meeting to book a place.

If you are trying to organise a chapel at your workplace, we can help with leafleting, booking a room or providing a speaker. Just e-mail us from the bottom of this or any page.

Countdown to ADM

November agenda

Future meetings schedule

Motions for
Annual Delegate
Meeting)

A. Racist reporting

ADM notes:
Racist reporting by both national and local newspapers around asylum seekers.
ADM believes such reporting:
1. Encourages racists and fascists to attack asylum seekers and immigrants;
2. Diverts attention from the real causes of the problems the mass of workers face.
ADM resolves to instruct the NEC:
1. To campaign within the union against editors and proprietors obliging reporters and sub-editors to work on copy which smears asylum seekers;
2. To organise lobbies of local and national newspapers that carry racist reports on asylum seekers;
3. To this end, to encourage every branch to set up telephone-trees of members so that lobbies and protests can be organised as soon as such articles are published.
Proposed by Gary McFarlane, Seconded by Gordon Jamieson

B. 'Partnership' with employers

ADM notes:
1. Both the TUC's and the government's promotion of a partnership between employers and workers.
2. Previous claims by trade union leaders and successive government ministers that employers and workers have the same interests.
ADM believes:
The Government's Fairness at Work legislation, though welcome, has been severely compromised by claims there can be partnership between employers and workers.
Such claims have always ended in increased exploitation for workers and higher profits for employers.
ADM resolves to instruct the NEC:
1. To send a message to TUC general secretary John Monks and prime minister Tony Blair telling them to stick partnership with the bosses up their jumpers;
2. To instead start a campaign, along with other trade unions, to strengthen trade union organisation throughout the country.
Proposed by K. Mulkearn, Seconded by D. Crouch

C. Justice for Harry Stanley

ADM notes that:
1. Harry Stanley, an unarmed man, was shot dead by armed police in Hackney, East London, on 22 September 1999;
2. Harry was shot through the side of the head, before he had even turned round to face the police, but the the police claim they thought they were in 'immediate danger';
3. Harry was the third innocent person to be shot by the police this year. He was the second to die at the hands of police in Hackney in two months;
4. A police inquiry into Harry's death is being held by Surrey police, the force that shot dead an unarmed man in Dorking this year and is itself being investigated.
ADM resolves to instruct the NEC to write to home secretary Jack Straw demanding that he acts immediately to:
1. Call an independent public inquiry;
2. Ensure that the police officers responsible are sacked and prosecuted;
3. Disband the police armed response units.
ADM further resolves to instruct the NEC to:
1. Send a message of support to, affiliate to and make a donation of £100 to the Justice for Harry Stanley Campaign;
2. Circulate the campaign petition to the union's membership;
3. Encourage members to join protests or demonstrations called by the campaign.
Proposed by Tash Shifrin, Seconded by G. Jamieson

D. Nationalisation of the railways

ADM notes:
The appalling rail crash at Paddington on 5 October 1999.
ADM believes:
The crash would not have occurred but for the prioritisation of profits over safety since the privatisation of the railways.
ADM resolves:
To instruct the NEC to energetically campaign for the renationalisation of the railways without compensation.
Proposed by Gordon Jamieson, Seconded by Alan Gibson

E. Socialist Worker appeal

This branch notes:
1. That Socialist Worker plays an important and much-needed role in the labour and trade union movement;
2. Socialist Worker does not get its support from rich backers like Rupert Murdoch, David Sainsbury or Bernie Ecclestone. It relies entirely on the support of ordinary working class people.
This branch believes:
1. There has never been a greater need for a socialist voice in the media; 2. Socialist Worker is a paper that carries the arguments against the free market policies of Tony Blair and New Labour;
3. Socialist Worker not only highlights issues affecting trade unionists but also organises resistance and solidarity with those fighting injustice.
This branch resolves:
To donate £50 to the Socialist Worker Appeal.
Proposed by D. Crouch, Seconded by K. Mulkearn

Members should be aware that the branch has already passed one ADM motion at an earlier meeting (12 July) on affiliation to the Anti Nazi League.

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1. Apologies

2. Any urgent matters arising from the minutes of previous meeting

3. Membership, welfare and legal matters

4. Reports:

A. Reports from workplaces

B. Reports from the Magazine and Book Industrial Council, the National Executive Committee, and the National Organiser

5. Motions for Annual Delegate Meeting:

A. Racist reporting

B. 'Partnership' with employers

C. Justice for Harry Stanley

D. Nationalisation of the railways

E. Socialist Worker appeal

6. Branch motions:

A. Justice for Harry Stanley Proposed by T. Shifrin, Seconded by G. Jamieson
This branch notes the Justice for Harry Stanley Campaign motion to ADM and resolves to:
1. Donate £50 to the campaign;
2. Invite a speaker from the campaign to the December branch meeting.

B. Ford workers' strike against racism Proposed by G. Jamieson, Seconded by G. McFarlane
This branch congratulates union members' inspiring stand against racism at Ford's Dagenham plant and sends a message of support to the union branches concerned.

7. Announcements

8. Any other business

Countdown to Ennis

ADM motions and nominations to the NEC must be in by
22 November 1999

The preliminary ADM agenda will be issued on
20 December 1999

Amendments to motions already contained in that agenda, and names of ADM delegates, must be received by
7 February 2000

Final agenda will be issued
28 February 2000

Annual Delegate Meeting
6-9 April 2000

Branch meeting schedule
 

1999 PAY SURVEY

Training matters

The NUJ needs to take up a place on the Periodical Training Council. The only requirements are that you be a staff journalist (ie not a freelance) and have some

THANKS to all the members who have responded to the pay survey so far. But we need many more of you to send back the forms, or to e-mail details to make the results reliable. Why not just fill it in and send it right now? Two themes have emerged from the forms we have had back:

• Pay rates for the same job very considerably:
  
• Pay rates in general appear to be rising, especially for jobs that involve work on the Web.

Photocopy the form and pass them around your workmates, or better still, take the opportunity to go round all the magazines in your building with a clipboard, pay forms and some union membership forms.

We publish the results in the December issue of the Report. Then we can see how much the rate for the job has changed since our last pay survey in 1997, and how rates compare with the recommendations in the NUJ's Freelance Fees Guide 1999-2000.

This excellent booklet is available from Acorn House (call 0171 843 3710), and not only lays out the minima you should accept but has practical advice on negotiating, copyright, billing, contracts and tax.

Pay survey form

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time to attend the meetings.

Meetings are generally bi-monthly in work time. For more details e-mail Linda Rogers at Acorn House (LindaR@nuj.org.uk).

Get Ready for Change

This new NUJ booklet offers essential advice, tips and assistance in organising and recruiting.

Call Deirdre Doherty for copies on 0171 843 3710.