Union victory: Al Jazeera English staff wins ground-breaking pay deal
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 16 May 2018
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Al Jazeera English journalists achieved a nine percent pay rise following a decisive vote for potential strike action. This new deal ends a three-year pay freeze and emphasizes the power of union organization.Summary
BRUSSELS -The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has praised the dedication and solidarity of journalists at Al Jazeera in London who have won a nine percent pay rise after threatening to strike.
Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), an IFJ affiliate, and the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union (Bectu) at Al Jazeera English voted on May 16 to accept an improved offer of a nine percent increase over two years.
The pay increase, won after staff voted massively in favor of taking strike action over management's long-running refusal to negotiate, ends a three-year pay freeze imposed by the company. The new offer will see journalists salaries rise by six percent this year and three percent next year.
In a consultative ballot, 84 percent of NUJ members voted to accept the two-year pay deal worth more than nine percent, ending four years without a rise. The action received huge international support.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ General Secretary, welcomed the settlement: “This is an important shift in relations with Al Jazeera and one we hope means that the collective bargaining process will run more smoothly in future. Members have voted overwhelmingly to accept the pay deal on offer, and we are pleased to have resolved the dispute.”
“The newly agreed deal is a clear example of the benefits of union collective action in securing fair pay for journalists and media workers,” said IFJ Secretary General Anthony Bellanger. “This is a huge victory we celebrate - one that shows that united action gets results.” – IFJ media release
Key Points
- Al Jazeera staff won a nine percent pay rise after threatening to strike.
- The deal includes a six percent increase this year and three percent next year.
- 84 percent of NUJ members voted in favor of the pay deal.
- The agreement is seen as a significant shift in labor relations with Al Jazeera.
- The IFJ praised the victory as an example of successful collective action.
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