NUJ makes July freelance month

The NUJ today launched a month of campaigning on behalf of freelance journalists who it claims are suffering as a result of the recession in the media. It also points out that many journalists made redundant in the cuts are going freelance.
During July NUJ branches and chapels are being urged to organise events for freelance members.
A call is also going out to other unions to join with the NUJ to campaign for better rights for casual workers and contributors.
Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary, said: “Whenever anyone at the union talks about the problems of journalists we always include freelances in our analysis. But freelance members, especially those who work alone from home, can feel left out.
“So throughout July we want all our activists and staff colleagues to think about the concerns of our self-employed members. We have chosen this time because the massive cut backs in the media have hit freelances at least as hard as staff.
“Many people taking redundancy are choosing to go freelance – which means more people competing for less work.
“Freelance month is a chance to give these issues a high profile within the union, but the campaigning will continue well beyond the summer.”