We have just emailed branch officials across the union(relying on NUJ website for details, which may be optimistic) asking them to tell members about the campaign and, in the interests of democracy, organise branch meetings about the issue. We have also asked them to point members towards this blog - and this amended version of our original petition, which takes in part of a motion carried by the Reuters chapel:
"As NUJ members we are dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. As members of a profession which prides itself on providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with this policy. We believe motions that take sides on geopolitical matters divide the union's membership and undermine the solidarity it needs to defend our professional interests and campaign for the freedom, safety and welfare of fellow journalists around the world. We call on the union to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all British journalists are viewed at home and abroad."
Please sign below
Thursday, 31 May 2007
LECTURERS BACK BOYCOTT - BUT MEMBERS GET A SAY
The lecturers' union the UCU has voted through a boycott of Israeli academic institutions; Here's the PA version:
ACADEMICS VOTE TO BACK BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI UNIVERSITIES
By Tim Ross, PA Education Correspondent
Academics provoked outrage from the Jewish community tonight after voting to
back calls for a boycott of Israeli universities in protest at the treatment of
Palestinians.
The University and College Union (UCU) passed a motion urging lecturers to
consider their consciences and boycott Israeli institutions.
But Jewish leaders condemned the vote as a "frightening" assault on academic
freedom.
The motion, which was passed by a margin of two-to-one after more than an
hour's debate, came two years after the UCU's predecessor union, the Association
of University Teachers, backed a similar boycott.
That decision, in 2005, drew an angry response from diplomats, academics and
writers around the world.
Today's vote at the union's annual congress in Bournemouth reopened the
controversy and sparked immediate demands for the policy to be reversed.
Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews said:
"Now is the time to strengthen the kinds of relationships that will bring all
sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict together.
"We call upon the union's leadership and all members who are rightly outraged
by the decision to work towards a reversal of this policy."
Jeremy Newmark, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, branded the
motion "an assault on academic freedom".
He said: "While the vast majority of academics do not support a boycott, this
decision damages the credibility of British academia as a whole."
Tamar Shchory, chair of the World Union of Jewish Students, described the vote
as "frightening", adding: "The climate of hostility towards the state of
Israel and Jewish students is getting stronger.
"It seems UCU has chosen a one-sided position in a very complex and sensitive
issue."
Conference delegates backed the motion by 158 votes to 99, with 17
abstentions.
The motion urged lecturers to "consider the moral implications of existing and
proposed links with Israeli academic institutions".
And the union's leadership must now circulate calls from Palestinians for a
boycott of Israeli universities to all branches throughout the country for
discussion, the motion said.
But here's the difference - unlike the NUJ, where unrepresentative people at ADM can impose a policy most members do not support, the UCU has more democratic mechanisms. So their boycott will have to clear a number of hurdles - including discussions at branch meetings. What's more their General Secretary Sally Hunt said in her election manifesto that she thought an issue of this improtance ought to be put to a ballot of all members. Would that our own General Secretary had shown such leadership.
ACADEMICS VOTE TO BACK BOYCOTT OF ISRAELI UNIVERSITIES
By Tim Ross, PA Education Correspondent
Academics provoked outrage from the Jewish community tonight after voting to
back calls for a boycott of Israeli universities in protest at the treatment of
Palestinians.
The University and College Union (UCU) passed a motion urging lecturers to
consider their consciences and boycott Israeli institutions.
But Jewish leaders condemned the vote as a "frightening" assault on academic
freedom.
The motion, which was passed by a margin of two-to-one after more than an
hour's debate, came two years after the UCU's predecessor union, the Association
of University Teachers, backed a similar boycott.
That decision, in 2005, drew an angry response from diplomats, academics and
writers around the world.
Today's vote at the union's annual congress in Bournemouth reopened the
controversy and sparked immediate demands for the policy to be reversed.
Jon Benjamin, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews said:
"Now is the time to strengthen the kinds of relationships that will bring all
sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict together.
"We call upon the union's leadership and all members who are rightly outraged
by the decision to work towards a reversal of this policy."
Jeremy Newmark, chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, branded the
motion "an assault on academic freedom".
He said: "While the vast majority of academics do not support a boycott, this
decision damages the credibility of British academia as a whole."
Tamar Shchory, chair of the World Union of Jewish Students, described the vote
as "frightening", adding: "The climate of hostility towards the state of
Israel and Jewish students is getting stronger.
"It seems UCU has chosen a one-sided position in a very complex and sensitive
issue."
Conference delegates backed the motion by 158 votes to 99, with 17
abstentions.
The motion urged lecturers to "consider the moral implications of existing and
proposed links with Israeli academic institutions".
And the union's leadership must now circulate calls from Palestinians for a
boycott of Israeli universities to all branches throughout the country for
discussion, the motion said.
But here's the difference - unlike the NUJ, where unrepresentative people at ADM can impose a policy most members do not support, the UCU has more democratic mechanisms. So their boycott will have to clear a number of hurdles - including discussions at branch meetings. What's more their General Secretary Sally Hunt said in her election manifesto that she thought an issue of this improtance ought to be put to a ballot of all members. Would that our own General Secretary had shown such leadership.
Friday, 25 May 2007
WHERE IS THE CAMPAIGN GOING?
Just some quick thoughts on how much progress our campaign for a ballot on the boycott has made. Our petition to the National Executive has now been signed by more than 300 BBC members.
BBC London branch has passed a motion calling for a ballot - and other motions calling for the policy to be dropped have been passed by chapels or branches in Manchester, Belfast, the Observer, and ITN. The Broadcasting Industrial Council has also described the boycott as "problematic".
The policy committee of the National Executive will discuss the issue in June - but the full National Executive will not consider our motion until July. Plenty of union officials are suggesting that nothing can be done, that ADM is the supreme policy-making body, and that we will just have to wait until next year's conference to try to reverse the policy. We need to get more branches to pass motions before July to convince the executive that they can't get away with just sitting on their hands.
Here is some news from the Times Higher Education Supplement illustrating the damage done to our reputation for impartiality:
"Steven Weinberg, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1979, was planning to visit Imperial College London in July to speak in honour of Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam and to give a talk at a conference on particle physics.
But in a letter, reproduced in today's Times Higher, to his host at Imperial, Michael Duff, Professor Weinberg said he already had mixed feelings about visiting the UK because he perceived a "widespread anti-Israel and anti-Semitic current" running through British opinion.
He decided to cancel the engagement after the National Union of Journalists voted to boycott Israeli products at its annual meeting in April. "
On another matter, I have rejected a number of comments to this blog - not because I wanted to censor them but because they were anonymous and so not clearly from NUJ members. This is meant to be a forum for union members - whatever their views on the issue.
BBC London branch has passed a motion calling for a ballot - and other motions calling for the policy to be dropped have been passed by chapels or branches in Manchester, Belfast, the Observer, and ITN. The Broadcasting Industrial Council has also described the boycott as "problematic".
The policy committee of the National Executive will discuss the issue in June - but the full National Executive will not consider our motion until July. Plenty of union officials are suggesting that nothing can be done, that ADM is the supreme policy-making body, and that we will just have to wait until next year's conference to try to reverse the policy. We need to get more branches to pass motions before July to convince the executive that they can't get away with just sitting on their hands.
Here is some news from the Times Higher Education Supplement illustrating the damage done to our reputation for impartiality:
"Steven Weinberg, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1979, was planning to visit Imperial College London in July to speak in honour of Pakistani physicist Abdus Salam and to give a talk at a conference on particle physics.
But in a letter, reproduced in today's Times Higher, to his host at Imperial, Michael Duff, Professor Weinberg said he already had mixed feelings about visiting the UK because he perceived a "widespread anti-Israel and anti-Semitic current" running through British opinion.
He decided to cancel the engagement after the National Union of Journalists voted to boycott Israeli products at its annual meeting in April. "
On another matter, I have rejected a number of comments to this blog - not because I wanted to censor them but because they were anonymous and so not clearly from NUJ members. This is meant to be a forum for union members - whatever their views on the issue.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
NUJ BiC SAYS BOYCOTT "PROBLEMATIC"
Tne Broadcasting Industrial Council (BiC)met on 21st May and discussed the Israeli boycott issue at length. Here are some notes from one of those present:
" BiC decided that
- the debate following the vote to boycott Israeli goods is an issue which the BiC takes a view on
- it feels that reform of the union's structures is needed so that chapels play a larger part at ADM as chapels are more representative of the members at large than branches are
- ADM should focus more on industrial relations in the media and the terms and conditions relating to journalists, including press freedom
- issues such as the boycott of Israeli goods are more problematic for broadcasting, as a sector, as we have many members working abroad and, in particular, in the Middle East
- the majority of broadcasting members who have communicated with the union on the boycott believe the action is a mistake ".
" BiC decided that
- the debate following the vote to boycott Israeli goods is an issue which the BiC takes a view on
- it feels that reform of the union's structures is needed so that chapels play a larger part at ADM as chapels are more representative of the members at large than branches are
- ADM should focus more on industrial relations in the media and the terms and conditions relating to journalists, including press freedom
- issues such as the boycott of Israeli goods are more problematic for broadcasting, as a sector, as we have many members working abroad and, in particular, in the Middle East
- the majority of broadcasting members who have communicated with the union on the boycott believe the action is a mistake ".
Saturday, 19 May 2007
NORTHERN IRELAND BACKS BALLOT
The Northern Ireland Broadcasting Branch whose membership is made up
mainly of BBC chapel members in Belfast and Radio Foyle passed the
following motion on Wednesday 16th May:-
"As broadcasting journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the
passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. We
cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in
any conflict. This branch calls on the National Executive Council to
hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken
at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all
British and Irish journalists are viewed at home and abroad."
mainly of BBC chapel members in Belfast and Radio Foyle passed the
following motion on Wednesday 16th May:-
"As broadcasting journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the
passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. We
cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in
any conflict. This branch calls on the National Executive Council to
hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken
at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all
British and Irish journalists are viewed at home and abroad."
Thursday, 17 May 2007
MANCHESTER BRANCH VICTORY
On Thursday evening the NUJ Manchester branch passed the following motion:
AT A TIME WHEN THE UNION IS SEEKING TO GAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ‘JOURNALISM MATTERS’ CAMPAIGN AND THE ‘DAY OF ACTION’, THIS DIVISIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL ADM RESOLUTION, CALLING ON NUJ MEMBERS TO BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS, HAS BROUGHT THE UNION INTO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DISREPUTE.
ALTHOUGH IT IS ALREADY BRANCH POLICY IN MANCHESTER TO OPPOSE COMPOSITE B, WE JOIN WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE BBC, ITN, OBSERVER AND FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION IN ARGUING THIS RESOLUTION ALSO SERIOUSLY DAMAGES BRITISH JOURNALISTS’ REPUTATION FOR IMPARTIALITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
AS JEREMY DEAR IS ON RECORD SAYING THE EXECUTIVE DID NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION AND HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS OPEN TO MEMBERS TO RE-OPEN THE ISSUE, WE URGE THE NEC AT THEIR NEXT MEETING TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO PREVENT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS RESOLUTION.
This was passed by 12 votes to 9 after what one member described as a hard-fought battle with opponents using "every procedural trick in the book" to try to block the motion.
I think this is a sobering example of how our union normally operates. If the meeting had not attracted a bigger crowd than normal, the motion would have been lost. Policies are drafted by a handful of dedicated activists at a branch meeting - who really fancies going along at 7.30pm on a wet Thursday evening ?- and that means they often fail to reflect the views of the mass of members who never have and never will attend these meetings. So how do we change this structure to make it more democratic?
AT A TIME WHEN THE UNION IS SEEKING TO GAIN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ‘JOURNALISM MATTERS’ CAMPAIGN AND THE ‘DAY OF ACTION’, THIS DIVISIVE AND CONTROVERSIAL ADM RESOLUTION, CALLING ON NUJ MEMBERS TO BOYCOTT ISRAELI GOODS, HAS BROUGHT THE UNION INTO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL DISREPUTE.
ALTHOUGH IT IS ALREADY BRANCH POLICY IN MANCHESTER TO OPPOSE COMPOSITE B, WE JOIN WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN THE BBC, ITN, OBSERVER AND FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION IN ARGUING THIS RESOLUTION ALSO SERIOUSLY DAMAGES BRITISH JOURNALISTS’ REPUTATION FOR IMPARTIALITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
AS JEREMY DEAR IS ON RECORD SAYING THE EXECUTIVE DID NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION AND HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS OPEN TO MEMBERS TO RE-OPEN THE ISSUE, WE URGE THE NEC AT THEIR NEXT MEETING TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO PREVENT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS RESOLUTION.
This was passed by 12 votes to 9 after what one member described as a hard-fought battle with opponents using "every procedural trick in the book" to try to block the motion.
I think this is a sobering example of how our union normally operates. If the meeting had not attracted a bigger crowd than normal, the motion would have been lost. Policies are drafted by a handful of dedicated activists at a branch meeting - who really fancies going along at 7.30pm on a wet Thursday evening ?- and that means they often fail to reflect the views of the mass of members who never have and never will attend these meetings. So how do we change this structure to make it more democratic?
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
BBC MANCHESTER CHAPEL CALLS FOR BALLOT
The BBC Manchester NUJ chapel has passed a motion supporting the call for a ballot on the Israel boycott. Just a reminder - the NUJ Manchester branch meets on Thursday to debate the issue. Details here:
Thursday 17 May at the NUJ regional office at Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester. If you arrive after 7.30pm call 0161 237 5020 and someone will let you in.
Thursday 17 May at the NUJ regional office at Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester. If you arrive after 7.30pm call 0161 237 5020 and someone will let you in.
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
REUTERS CALLS FOR REVERSAL OF BOYCOTT
The NUJ chapel at Reuters passed the following motion unanimously:
"This Chapel rejects the motion, passed at the Annual Delegates Meeting of the National Union of Journalists in April, calling for a boycott of Israeli goods.
This chapel takes no position whatsoever on the underlying issue addressed by the motion, believing that all such political positioning by the union runs counter to our commitment as Reuters journalists to maintain professional objectivity and freedom from bias.
This chapel notes that such positioning threatens to undermine our ability to work in harmony with colleagues of various nationalities and opinions.
This chapel believes motions that take sides on geopolitical matters divide the union's membership and undermine the solidarity it needs to defend our professional interests and campaign for the freedom, safety and welfare of fellow journalists around the world.
The Chapel mandates its representatives to inform the NUJ of its decision and to advocate and vote for a reversal of the motion at the first opportunity. It mandates its representatives to bring this decision to the attention of the Reuters trustees. "
"This Chapel rejects the motion, passed at the Annual Delegates Meeting of the National Union of Journalists in April, calling for a boycott of Israeli goods.
This chapel takes no position whatsoever on the underlying issue addressed by the motion, believing that all such political positioning by the union runs counter to our commitment as Reuters journalists to maintain professional objectivity and freedom from bias.
This chapel notes that such positioning threatens to undermine our ability to work in harmony with colleagues of various nationalities and opinions.
This chapel believes motions that take sides on geopolitical matters divide the union's membership and undermine the solidarity it needs to defend our professional interests and campaign for the freedom, safety and welfare of fellow journalists around the world.
The Chapel mandates its representatives to inform the NUJ of its decision and to advocate and vote for a reversal of the motion at the first opportunity. It mandates its representatives to bring this decision to the attention of the Reuters trustees. "
Thursday, 10 May 2007
MANCHESTER BRANCH TO DEBATE BOYCOTT
The NUJ Manchester branch will debate the Israeli boycott at its May meeting - here are the details:
Thursday 17 May at the NUJ regional office at Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester. If you arrive after 7.30pm call 0161 237 5020 and someone will let you in.
And Gita Conn - a Life Member has written this in Quorum - NUJ Manchester's newsletter:
BAN THE BOYCOTT
Howls of outrage can be heard all over the land, and from abroad, at the passing of a motion at ADM to boycott Israeli goods.
At a time when journalists are seriously concerned about pay, job security, new media and pensions, i.e. Union matters, why is our Union becoming embroiled in the political fallout of a motion that has been described as ‘daft and dangerous’?
Wimpier members have torn up their membership cards in disgust… and in a useless, self-righteous gesture.
Hardier souls are using every democratic means to persuade the NEC to neuter a motion that should never have been passed.
Hundreds of members from BBC and ITV have already signed a petition condemning the motion. ITN broadcasters, expressing their dismay, stated: ‘As members of organisations which take pride in providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict.’
The Observer NUJ Chapel is adamant: ‘If Observer journalists come out for any side in any conflict, we do so after researching and thinking about it for ourselves. We are angered that reports have gone round the world that “British journalists” have democratically agreed to single out Israel - and only Israel - for sanctions. We call on the Union to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue that could have a profound effect on the way the independence of British journalists is viewed at home and abroad.’
Leading public figures (including the Editor of the Guardian and Jon Snow) have criticised a motion that bears factual inaccuracies, discriminatory overtones and a lack of balance abhorrent to every journalist of principle.
Such ill-conceived messages coming from ADM in our name bring the Union and its members into disrepute. We are losing credibility at a time when we need to focus on extremely important issues and are seeking public support for the Journalism Matters campaign and for the Day of Action in November.
Worse still, hyperbole does little to assist the search for peace in the Middle East nor, of immediate urgency (as I write), the freeing from captivity of Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist.
I will be asking the Branch (which mandated its conference delegates to oppose this motion) to make representations to the NEC to do everything in its constitutional powers to negate this unfortunate resolution.
General Secretary Jeremy Dear is on record as saying the NEC did not support the motion and he has made it clear that it is open to members to reopen the issue.
If you share my concern, please come along to the next meeting of the Branch on 17 May and lend your support. If you cannot come, please do add your name to the submission by e-mailing me at gita@gconn.fsbusiness.co.uk <mailto:gita@gconn.fsbusiness.co.uk>
Gita Conn, Life Member
Editor’s note(This is the Editor of Quorum): This is an issue which has aroused strong feelings and should make for an interesting discussion at the next Branch meeting, not least over the question of whether the NEC should overturn a decision made by the democratic will of the Union's membership decision - however unpalatable that decision. The NEC has the constitutional right to do so but this right has been exercised very rarely. As Gita urges, please try and get to the meeting on Thursday 17th May.
Thursday 17 May at the NUJ regional office at Arthur House, Chorlton Street, Manchester. If you arrive after 7.30pm call 0161 237 5020 and someone will let you in.
And Gita Conn - a Life Member has written this in Quorum - NUJ Manchester's newsletter:
BAN THE BOYCOTT
Howls of outrage can be heard all over the land, and from abroad, at the passing of a motion at ADM to boycott Israeli goods.
At a time when journalists are seriously concerned about pay, job security, new media and pensions, i.e. Union matters, why is our Union becoming embroiled in the political fallout of a motion that has been described as ‘daft and dangerous’?
Wimpier members have torn up their membership cards in disgust… and in a useless, self-righteous gesture.
Hardier souls are using every democratic means to persuade the NEC to neuter a motion that should never have been passed.
Hundreds of members from BBC and ITV have already signed a petition condemning the motion. ITN broadcasters, expressing their dismay, stated: ‘As members of organisations which take pride in providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict.’
The Observer NUJ Chapel is adamant: ‘If Observer journalists come out for any side in any conflict, we do so after researching and thinking about it for ourselves. We are angered that reports have gone round the world that “British journalists” have democratically agreed to single out Israel - and only Israel - for sanctions. We call on the Union to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue that could have a profound effect on the way the independence of British journalists is viewed at home and abroad.’
Leading public figures (including the Editor of the Guardian and Jon Snow) have criticised a motion that bears factual inaccuracies, discriminatory overtones and a lack of balance abhorrent to every journalist of principle.
Such ill-conceived messages coming from ADM in our name bring the Union and its members into disrepute. We are losing credibility at a time when we need to focus on extremely important issues and are seeking public support for the Journalism Matters campaign and for the Day of Action in November.
Worse still, hyperbole does little to assist the search for peace in the Middle East nor, of immediate urgency (as I write), the freeing from captivity of Alan Johnston, the BBC journalist.
I will be asking the Branch (which mandated its conference delegates to oppose this motion) to make representations to the NEC to do everything in its constitutional powers to negate this unfortunate resolution.
General Secretary Jeremy Dear is on record as saying the NEC did not support the motion and he has made it clear that it is open to members to reopen the issue.
If you share my concern, please come along to the next meeting of the Branch on 17 May and lend your support. If you cannot come, please do add your name to the submission by e-mailing me at gita@gconn.fsbusiness.co.uk <mailto:gita@gconn.fsbusiness.co.uk>
Gita Conn, Life Member
Editor’s note(This is the Editor of Quorum): This is an issue which has aroused strong feelings and should make for an interesting discussion at the next Branch meeting, not least over the question of whether the NEC should overturn a decision made by the democratic will of the Union's membership decision - however unpalatable that decision. The NEC has the constitutional right to do so but this right has been exercised very rarely. As Gita urges, please try and get to the meeting on Thursday 17th May.
Wednesday, 9 May 2007
LONDON BRANCH VOTE - CORRECTION
I am told that the vote on the motion calling for a ballot yesterday was actually 43 in favour, 1 abstention, none against.
We now have to encourage other branches across the country to vote for similar motions.
We now have to encourage other branches across the country to vote for similar motions.
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
LONDON BRANCH CALLS FOR BALLOT
In a meeting addressed by the General Secretary Jeremy Dear, the BBC London branch heard strong views from members about the NUJ's Israel boycott policy. One member, who works frequently in the Middle East said "I don't want to pay my dues, only to have my views misrepresented by the union." Jeremy Dear explained that the National Executive might find it difficult to find anything in the rulebook allowing for a ballot - but he admittted that the executive could take that decision and accept the risk of censure at next year's ADM. The branch then passed the following motion:
“As BBC journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. As members of a corporation which prides itself on providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict. This branch calls on the Executive to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all British journalists are viewed at home and abroad.”
43 were in favour, 1 against - with no abstentions. It was the best attended branch meeting in recent years - by contrast, the meeting that sent our delegates to ADM was attended by 3 people.
“As BBC journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. As members of a corporation which prides itself on providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict. This branch calls on the Executive to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all British journalists are viewed at home and abroad.”
43 were in favour, 1 against - with no abstentions. It was the best attended branch meeting in recent years - by contrast, the meeting that sent our delegates to ADM was attended by 3 people.
Monday, 7 May 2007
BRANCH MEETING – WHAT KIND OF MOTION?
Just a reminder:
BBC London NUJ Branch meeting:
Tuesday 8th May. 1:30 pm,
in room B551 in the basement of the main TVC donut
What kind of motion should we try to pass at the branch meeting on Tuesday if we want our union to act quickly to reverse the boycott policy? I still favour the original call for a ballot as outlined in our petition:
“As BBC journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. As members of a corporation which prides itself on providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict. This branch calls on the Executive to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all British journalists are viewed at home and abroad.”
Some are suggesting there is no mechanism for a ballot – but I have been told by one official that there could be. He points to provision for a ballot if the union is seen to be signing up to a political campaign.
“The union shall not affiliate to any body, other than those promoting the principles of press freedom and/or workers rights until the proposal to do so has been submitted to a ballot of the members in which a simple majority of those voting shall decide the issue.” (Rule 9c)
It could be argued that an ADM motion which, amongst other things, “instructs the NEC to support organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign” should trigger a ballot. But some are convinced that this won’t work – and that we should instead have a broader motion…:
“to instruct delegates to oppose (or abstain from) any resolutions at the next ADM which seek to link the NUJ to, or which support, any political issues or campaigns which do not directly relate to journalism, press freedom/safety or industrial relations within the British/Irish media….”
This would, in effect, kick the issue into the long grass until next April’s ADM, but I suppose it would put down a marker that we did not want our delegates to assume that we wanted to sign up to any kind of political campaign. Perhaps we should pass both motions?
BBC London NUJ Branch meeting:
Tuesday 8th May. 1:30 pm,
in room B551 in the basement of the main TVC donut
What kind of motion should we try to pass at the branch meeting on Tuesday if we want our union to act quickly to reverse the boycott policy? I still favour the original call for a ballot as outlined in our petition:
“As BBC journalists and NUJ members we are dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. As members of a corporation which prides itself on providing impartial news coverage, we cannot associate ourselves with a move which involves taking sides in any conflict. This branch calls on the Executive to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue which could have a profound effect on the way all British journalists are viewed at home and abroad.”
Some are suggesting there is no mechanism for a ballot – but I have been told by one official that there could be. He points to provision for a ballot if the union is seen to be signing up to a political campaign.
“The union shall not affiliate to any body, other than those promoting the principles of press freedom and/or workers rights until the proposal to do so has been submitted to a ballot of the members in which a simple majority of those voting shall decide the issue.” (Rule 9c)
It could be argued that an ADM motion which, amongst other things, “instructs the NEC to support organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign” should trigger a ballot. But some are convinced that this won’t work – and that we should instead have a broader motion…:
“to instruct delegates to oppose (or abstain from) any resolutions at the next ADM which seek to link the NUJ to, or which support, any political issues or campaigns which do not directly relate to journalism, press freedom/safety or industrial relations within the British/Irish media….”
This would, in effect, kick the issue into the long grass until next April’s ADM, but I suppose it would put down a marker that we did not want our delegates to assume that we wanted to sign up to any kind of political campaign. Perhaps we should pass both motions?
Friday, 4 May 2007
OBSERVER CHAPEL CALLS FOR BALLOT
The NUJ chapel at the Observer has passed the following motion - as I understand there was just one abstention.
'This chapel is dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. If Observer journalists come out for any side in any conflict, we do so after researching and thinking about it for ourselves. We are angered that reports have gone round the world that 'British journalists' have democratically agreed to single out Israel - and only Israel - for sanctions. We call on the union to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue that could have a profound effect on the way the independence of British journalists is viewed at home and abroad'
'This chapel is dismayed at the passing of a motion at ADM calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. If Observer journalists come out for any side in any conflict, we do so after researching and thinking about it for ourselves. We are angered that reports have gone round the world that 'British journalists' have democratically agreed to single out Israel - and only Israel - for sanctions. We call on the union to hold a ballot of all members to see whether they support the view taken at ADM on an issue that could have a profound effect on the way the independence of British journalists is viewed at home and abroad'
WHAT ADM SAID ON ISRAEL
Just so that everyone is clear, here is the composite motion passed at ADM last month:
ADM condemns the savage, pre-planned attack on Lebanon by Israel. ADM notes that the vast majority of those killed in 2006 have been Lebanese together with Palestinians in the Israeli occupied territories.
This ADM condemns the slaughter of civilians by Israeli troops in Gaza and the IDF’s continued attacks inside Lebanon following the defeat of its army by Hezbollah.
This ADM calls for the end of Israeli aggression in Gaza and other occupied territories.
This ADM calls for a boycott of Israeli goods similar to those boycotts in the struggles against apartheid South Africa led by trade unions and the TUC to demand sanctions be imposed on Israel by the British government and the United Nations.
This ADM instructs the NEC to support organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding and continue supporting the programme of safety training and union building set out by the IFJ with its affiliate, the Syndicate of Palestinian Journalists.
ADM encourages branches to find ways to support their Palestinian colleagues, noting as an example the ‘Reporting under Occupation’ meeting organised by the Oxford branch, which gave a platform to Al Hayat’s West Bank correspondent to explain the dangers, restrictions and limitations faced by Palestinian – and to a lesser extent non-Palestinian – journalists operating in the West Bank and Gaza.
ADM condemns the savage, pre-planned attack on Lebanon by Israel. ADM notes that the vast majority of those killed in 2006 have been Lebanese together with Palestinians in the Israeli occupied territories.
This ADM condemns the slaughter of civilians by Israeli troops in Gaza and the IDF’s continued attacks inside Lebanon following the defeat of its army by Hezbollah.
This ADM calls for the end of Israeli aggression in Gaza and other occupied territories.
This ADM calls for a boycott of Israeli goods similar to those boycotts in the struggles against apartheid South Africa led by trade unions and the TUC to demand sanctions be imposed on Israel by the British government and the United Nations.
This ADM instructs the NEC to support organisations including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding and continue supporting the programme of safety training and union building set out by the IFJ with its affiliate, the Syndicate of Palestinian Journalists.
ADM encourages branches to find ways to support their Palestinian colleagues, noting as an example the ‘Reporting under Occupation’ meeting organised by the Oxford branch, which gave a platform to Al Hayat’s West Bank correspondent to explain the dangers, restrictions and limitations faced by Palestinian – and to a lesser extent non-Palestinian – journalists operating in the West Bank and Gaza.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
LONDON BRANCH MEETING
The NUJ's BBC London branch will be meeting on Tuesday to discuss the Israeli boycott - Jeremy Dear will be there. The detaills are:
Tuesday 8th May
at 1:30 pm,
in room B551 at TVC,
in the basement of the main TVC donut
We are invited to submit a motion to the branch meeting - and it has been suggested to me that calling for a ballot will not fit in with the NUJ's rulebook. Anyone got any thoughts as to whether we should ignore that - or draft an alternative motion which could for example call for a recall conference?
Rory Cellan-Jones
Tuesday 8th May
at 1:30 pm,
in room B551 at TVC,
in the basement of the main TVC donut
We are invited to submit a motion to the branch meeting - and it has been suggested to me that calling for a ballot will not fit in with the NUJ's rulebook. Anyone got any thoughts as to whether we should ignore that - or draft an alternative motion which could for example call for a recall conference?
Rory Cellan-Jones
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
JEREMY DEAR RESPONDS
Jeremy Dear has emailed to say that he has received our petition and will make the motion available to the Executive. He says it will first be discussed by the Policy Committee on 8 June and then by the Executive later in June. He promises to keep us updated on any outcome.
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