Breakdown of respondents

Respondents were asked their country of residence, and whether they were, or ever had been, an EPUK member. This data is collated from answers to survey questions 1, 2 and 3.

How were the respondents to the survey broken down ?
By NUJ membership:
 
NUJ members 47.7%
     
Former NUJ members 17.6%
     
Had never joined the NUJ 34.7%
 
By geographical location:
 
England, Scotland and Wales 83.3%
     
Northern Ireland/ROI 7.5%
     
Outside the UK/ROI 9.5%
     

Respondent’s attitudes to NUJ membership

Depending on whether the respondent was a NUJ member, one of two different questions was asked. Respondents who were not currently NUJ members were asked the following question. This data is collated from survey question five.

Would you consider joining or rejoining the NUJ?

(Only respondents who were not current NUJ members were asked this question)

 All respondents
Former NUJ members
Respondents who have never been in the NUJ
 
Yes 44.2%
  37.9%
  47.0%
     
No 55.8%
  62.1%
  53.0%
     

Additional comments left by non-NUJ members:

  • “I left NUJ when they put their subs up so they can meddle in politics. They are not very relevant to freelancers, especially photographers and produce the WORST magazine in the world. Funny huh!”
  • “I’ve considered joining the NUJ on two occasions in the past. Each time activities of the NUJ have lead me to believe that the NUJ is not working in photographer’s interests. The latest issue confirms to me that as a photographer, the NUJ is a complete waste of time joining. I consider it a union for staff writers at newspapers and nothing more.”
  • “I joined the NUJ in a spirit of solidarity after the encouragement of some of the most active photographers in the Union. They suggested that the NUJ was the only organisation powerful enough to make a real difference for freelance photographers who are up against the might of Getty and other large commercial empires. I was bitterly disappointed and so I resigned. I believe that the NUJ’s only interest in freelance photographers is in the collection of their fees which do not reflect the effort they put in on our behalf but are, frankly, far too high for what is offered.”

How do NUJ members feel about their future in the union ?

Respondents who were NUJ members were asked the following question. The data is collated from survey question six.

As a current NUJ member, which of the following statements best reflects your intentions ?
(Only respondents who were NUJ members were asked this question)
 
I intend to remain a NUJ member for the foreseeable future 48.8%
     
I intend to leave the NUJ but not to join another photographers organisation 1.2%
     
I intend to leave the NUJ and join another photographers organisation. 10.2%
     
I am undecided as to whether I will stay in the NUJ or whether I will leave. 39.8%
     

Additional comments left by NUJ members:

  • “I intend to stay a member of the NUJ until I have lost confidence in their ability or commitment to representing the interests of photographers, however. I believe the onus is now on the NEC to demonstrate this commitment by pro-actively supporting the appointment of a photographers rep.”
  • “After the NUJ took the thirty pieces of Silver and sold out the freelance photographers I am contemplating leaving the Union. In thirty years membership the NUJ in Ireland has done NOTHING for the freelances photographers or reporters. What is the point being in a union that does nothing for its freelance members.”
  • “My involvement and membership of the NUJ, as a freelance photographer, is not only to defend my own interests but to fight for the rights and conditions of media workers across the board. It is also to be part of the wider picture and involved with issues which face journalists, media workers, trade unionists and people across the world. Whilst it seems to be that the NUJ is failing its freelance photographers, I think that the NUJ is generally a force to be reckoned with, and it is better to be part of this than only a member of a smaller and less effective body that just represents the self-interests of a tightly knit group.”
  • “The NUJ’s membership base means that it’s really the only credible recognised union of journalists. There are other organisations but they don’t have the critical mass to negotiate with employers, or the recognition. The NUJ seems to be moving towards being a union that only represents staff, and as the Drogheda debacle is ongoing, proving that they can’t even do that. The sad thing is that, as a relative newcomer to the NUJ, but not as a newcomer to trade unionism, I say “them”, not “us”.”
  • “The only reason I, and most other freelance photographers I know in Ireland (ROI), are NUJ Members is because the NUJ is the only gatekeeper in Ireland with the authority to issue Press Cards. If I were eligible I would apply to join the BPPA instead and leave the NUJ. The NUJ seems to care little for photographers and not at all for freelance photographers.”
  • “I have personally been profoundly let down by the NUJ and recently had to sell my house as a direct result of their mishandling a huge copyright case. We must however, stay in the Union and demand that they represent us. Pissing inside the tent makes more of a mess than pissing outside on the walls.”
  • “My NUJ membership now is simply for my press card. Once I’ve found a suitable alternative they will be losing my £17 per month”
  • “I am certainly on the verge of leaving the NUJ after 23 years. I have no confidence that its leadership can change. As a former branch committee photographers’ rep I can vouch that in Scotland at least the service given to photographers, and I know details of many cases, is utterly appalling.”
  • “NUJ is happy to take subs from photographers but obviously doesn’t care about their concerns”
  • “The NUJ have just proved that they are not bothered about holding on to the photographic side of their membership. I am VERY disappointed with them.”
  • “I’m only in the NUJ to get a press card, when the BPPA become gatekeepers I will get it through them.”
  • “Although the NUJ is currently working against the interests of photographers it is still the only trades union we have. I will stay in and fight. The only reason that I would leave is if any prominent NUJ members were disciplined for their actions on this issue”