The world of IT is not known for embracing  a union mentality or culture.  In fact, there are…erm…none.  Presumably because – let’s face it – the pay and conditions are pretty damn good already! Or, maybe due to the fact there is a widely shared opinion that the more they reward employees, the harder they work and the harder they work, the ‘luckier’ they get?  Or they are an oppressed and silenced bunch, forced to drive around in BMWs and holiday in Dubai. Who knows?

Passion

So, hard as it is to believe, this was my first contact with any form of union outpouring during my 44 years on the planet; having been asked to be part of the student team reporting the conference ‘live and kicking’.

And, KICKING it was.  The passion displayed by the members, delegates, speakers, students and execs was all-consuming and hedonistically intoxicating.  I can’t remember seeing anyone in IT speaking so animatedly about ‘disaster recovery software’ or ‘enterprise software systems’ at a conference.

Another thing that struck me was the camaraderie and the willingness of the members to help out us [relatively] journalistic virgins.  People came to our bunker and sought out individuals to give a word of praise, encouragement or constructive feedback as well as being on hand to be commandeered themselves for interviews and/or advice.

Militancy

Although it is tempting to look down on anyone even marginally right of centre as a waste of space, there are some aspects I experience in corporateland that could be welcomed.  Like the ability to take the piss out of ourselves without it turning into an international incident.

Loud and sweary - (C) damianjozwik.com

Uproar occurred when one of the students twittered that an impassioned speech by the wonderful Eamonn McCann was ‘loud’ (it was) and that he was expecting him to say “Feck” and “Gin” next – an obvious reference to the much-missed and fondly remembered Father Ted comedy show.  This was FUNNY and, obviously, a personal opinion!! (see blogged criticism – opens new window)

By adopting an outraged approach to the tweet, which is, by its very nature, off the cuff, are we not trying to censorship free speech; the very thing we spend most of an ADM trying fiercely to protect?  Could we not just loosen up sometimes and remember just how short life is (watching my father die made me realise this) or am I being exceptionally naive? NEC member Niall Hunt blogged on this too – link opens new window.

Friends

All that said, I have definitely made new friends and will relish future debates we will undoubtedly have whilst knowing that we share a mutual respect for each other, regardless of our differing views and divided opinions.

I have also resolved to become a more active member of the NUJ in my college – we need to recruit, recruit, recruit; especially the new, young blood.

My desire for a bit more light-heartedness may be simplistic but forgive me; I have been in IT….although please don’t tell my Mother I was in IT – she thought I played the piano in a French whorehouse.

The fringe meeting, ‘When good bosses go bad & industrial action against progressive employers’, was organised as part of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM), in Southport. It is part of a process to build a forum for journalists faced with issues from their organisations.

The NUJ members attending the meeting requested that they all remain anonymous, due to fears their employers might discover their complaints.

Pressure from bosses

The main topic of the meeting was to address pressures from bosses, which sometimes came in the form of bullying.

One delegate explained a situation faced by many journalists. He said: “We are facing lots of issues incluing even bullying from bosses.

“This adds to the problems we have already as to how we are going to carry on. Loads of freelances have gone out of business and it’s very difficult to know what can be done.”

Conflict between companies and their journalists

Part of the meeting focused on the conflicting interests of news organisations and their journalists, and how speaking out about problems can threaten jobs.

One delegate explained how some news organisations enforce their news values to maximise profit.

The delegate, who had to leave due to conflict over a story, said: “What led to my departure was the organisations’ inability to determine news stories from personal stories.

“The worst thing for me is that I want to do what the organisation wants to achieve, but it conflicts with my professional judgements.”

Another delegate explained how bosses have become more demanding over the past few years. The delegate said: “I’ve got a dream job as a journalist. Generally management are quite hands off.

“But when it goes bad it’s really bad. Without any decisions with workers money is spent on other areas.”

The delegate added: “I’m not saying they’re bad people but the values they have are bosses’ values which are above ours and the trade unions concerns.”

Trusts: a better model?

However one delegate expressed satisfaction with how some of the trust-run media deal with complaints. They said: “There is opportunity with trustees to bring up problems as you must report any grievances to the trustees.

“They often do not employ many people so they can often deal with your complaints once communications have started.”

The group exchanged personal details and agreed to meet again soon to discuss possible action.

Detainee Y, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke at the NUJ Annual Delegate Meeting (ADM) in Southport via telephone. He has been electronically tagged under a control order from July 2008 for being an alleged security threat – a charge which has never been heard in public.

The control order means that for twenty-hours a day he is restricted to his home. The other four-hours can be spent in a designated three-mile area, allowing for Mosque visits every Friday.

The restrictions do not allow him to carry any money, possess any electronic equipment or have contact with others except by telephone.

He is allowed to shop at the local Tesco with food vouchers. Serco, a business services company, must be notified of all of his movements.

Detainee Y fled to Britain from Algeria in 2000 to escape possible terrorist activity. He was arrested in 2003 for alleged threats to national security and spent over two-years in prison.

He was released in September 2005 but spent a further three years being held in solitary confinement in a prison as he awaited deportation.

Detainee Y was not deported but was instead served with a control order which restricted his movements.

His charges have never been made public in the interests of national security.

A further seven people are reported to be held under the same restrictions.

Detainee Y, who addressed the council via telephone link, said: “I do not know what I have done. The evidence against me has never been heard in a public court.

“The only means of communication I have is by phone. I have my mother in Algeria but I’m not allowed to even contact her.”

Arjum Wajid, Member of the NUJ Ethics Council, said: “There are people in this country who have been in prisons for a very long time without ever being charged at all. Despite all demonstrations these people still continue to be subjects of these laws.”

Asked if it was worse than prison, Detainee Y said: “At least in prison you can talk to others and go to the shops. But here you can’t.

“I am in complete and utter isolation. It’s so physically and psychologically punishing.”

The meeting was held by the Ethics Council to highlight the issues faced by suspected terrorists and to promote a new leaflet about terrorism reporting guidelines.

Michael McColgan, NUJ member and a Human Rights Lawyer for Howells solicitors, Sheffield, said: “The principle of justice is the right to be heard. This man has not been heard. He does not even know what charges he faces. This is not open justice at all.”

An audibly frightened Detainee Y said: “I’m being tortured in this country. I feel I’m living like a ghost. I have less rights than animals and am being abused by justice. My life in unbearable. Please help me.”