What happens when the wordsmiths of an NUJ branch are embarrassed over using a word not in the English language?
Naturally, it blames it on its bilingual roots – or at least, that’s the case for NUJ Paris branch.
The branch, which covers all of France, put forward motion 50 to call for Union help with the monopoly being run by WHSmith Travel only selling Penguin travel guides.
However, the inclusion of the word ‘competitivity’ in the motion was heavily questioned in the Agenda, marking out NUJ Paris as a confused branch.
The clear explanation is that the French for competition is ‘compétitivité’ and branch members were caught between two languages when dictating the motion.
At conference the motion was not passed and a remission was called for by the NEC.
There is doubt over whether the motion requires financial help which the NEC cannot afford: notably to cover an appeal to the European Parliament, after the Office of Fair Trading in the UK rejected complaints from the NUJ and other writers’ bodies.
