Delegates at the New Media Conference were shown the findings of a recent study – commissioned by the union – into the creative industries and how that sector could be farmed to increase membership

With 900,000 creative industries jobs in the UK, the New Media Industries Council, who were leading the conference, admitted that the NUJ has to embrace these industries.

They said the union needed to accept members from them in the same way it changed to embrace the PR division. This would mean potentially welcoming web workers and designers into the union to boost the numbers, as the traditional media declines.

Attracting New Media to the NUJ

The puzzle is how to convince these digital workers to join, with one blogger, participating online, asking what NUJ could do for them and WHY web workers should join at all.

Council member Donnacha DeLong explained there were many issues that the NUJ was already addressing, that were specific to web workers including RSI and legal issues surrounding online comments.

“It’s about keeping the channels of communication open. The door to the union has to be open. Lets tell them it’s a great honour to join the union.”