RSSNUJ: Don't agree to Herald terms
Photographers supplying the Glasgow-based Herald and Evening Times titles have been warned by the NUJ not to agree to a new contract sent out to freelances by the Newsquest-owned titles.
In a statement sent to freelances, the NUJ’s Scottish Office advise: “Please do not agree to any ‘proposal’ which has been sent to you by Newsquest regarding payments and copyright issues.”
“The NUJ has been in negotiation with Newsquest on a Freelance contract over a prolonged period. The proposals that have been sent to you are far below the terms which have been discussed so far.”
Negotiations between the union and the newspaper group have been ongoing for nearly a year, with the publisher attempting to re-negotiate existing shift and job rates, and phase out payments when freelances work is reused.
The NUJ advises that that freelances who have received the contract reply with the letter below.
Without prejudice
Dear Ms Urquhart,
I have just received a copy of the Herald & Times Group’s ‘Terms and Conditions for the use of Work from Freelance Contributors’ which you wish to apply from today (May 5). I note that this states: “…these terms may be varied by mutual agreement in writing before publication…”
Therefore I wish to enter into an agreement to vary these terms and hereby request an appointment at the earliest opportunity with Mr Thomson, or whomever he wishes to appoint for the purpose, to agree variations to the terms as set out.
Until such agreement is reached I shall continue to contribute on my previously existing terms.
Yours sincerely,
