NUJ set to make redundancies
The National Union of Journalists is set to make a number of redundancies after agreeing a programme of measures which is says has been forced upon it by the recession.
The union’s National Executive Council agreed the strategy on Friday, it has admitted, in order to meet the fall of income and rising costs.
Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary for the NUJ General Secretary, said: “This is not the first time the NUJ has had to take decisive action to deal with financial difficulties. Previous solutions to falling income, resulting from a fall in employment in our industries, have sustained us until now.
“But we are conscious that if we are to plan responsibly for the future of the union, and the members whom we serve, we need a comprehensive strategy which involves managing expenditure and practising good housekeeping while continuing to provide the service to NUJ members which they are entitled to expect.
“As an immediate priority we will be extending the union’s activities and membership across all sectors of the industry where the union’s protection is needed by journalists now more than ever before," she added.
In an email to all members, the NUJ revealed that despite a sustained recruitment campaign, its membership had dropped by 18%, and although it had planned for a 2% decline in subscription over the last three years, the number had falled by 5% in the last six months alone.
"Despite a number of measures already taken in recent years and months the pressures on our budgets have continued, seeing the depletion of our assets and reserves," the communications added.