Guardian focus for demo by photographers

The NUJ is calling on photographers to demonstrate for their creative rights outside the Guardian offices on 1 September.
The union says the protest is in response to Guardian News & Media’s announcement that they will no longer pay for re-use of pictures commissioned from that date.
In a letter to contributors dated 28 July, managing editor Chris Elliott stated that the company’s standard terms for commissioned photography shall include “a non-exclusive, perpetual licence to re-use commissioned photography in its products and services without further payment.”
NUJ freelance organiser John Toner said: “At a time when press photographers are suffering severe hardship as a result of the economic downturn, it comes as a further blow to be informed that GNM demands unlimited re-use of photographs free of charge."
The announcement follows on from GNM’s talks with their contract photographers, who are already resisting moves to end payment for re-use. The Guardian NUJ Chapel has agreed to represent the contractees in a collective grievance - the agreed procedure for raising concerns about employment practices. This was submitted to the company yesterday but was immediately rejected by managers.
The demonstration will take place at 9.30am at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1.