Report of September NEC Meeting

Preparations for this year's annual delegates meeting meeting took up the lion's share of our time at the September NEC. But other important issues, including the ongoing jobs crisis and the lection of a new editor of the journalist also came up for discussion.

ADM Ahoy
The majority of the September NEC session was taken up with preparations for this year's Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM), which is going to have to find a new name if plans to hold it every 18 months or even two years are passed.
We spent hours painstakingly going through the draft agenda, checking amendments, alterations and arcane comments from standing orders committee. I can assure members that I earned my Eurostar ticket this time round.
But this was important work, helping to ensure that ADM itself runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible in November.
We also heard yet again of the difficult state of the NUJ's finances, which have been hit hard by the jobs crisis sweeping through our industry. The tough situation means more people are leaving journalism and those that are staying are often having to pay reduced subs. In this context it is vital that the union reduces its costs and increases revenues as much as possible. Recruitment as ever is the long term solution, but the NEC has also put in some tough motions to ADM on this score, including plans for a statutory annual subs rise. No-one likes these kinds of initiatives but for the sake of the union's long term financial future, I urge members to support them.

Standing up for Guardian Photographers
Freelance organiser John Toner explained that he was hoping to coordinate some kind of action linked to the dispute between freelance photographers and the Guardian News and Media group. Snappers keen to get involved should get in touch with John (00 44 20 7843 3735/00 44 7710 314 593. Email freelanceoffice@nuj.org.uk ).
I reported on the recent meeting of the Continental European Council, which was chaired by Paris branch Chair Jim Pollard. I highlighted plans made at the meeting to begin serious work on setting up a branch in Spain and also reminded members of conference on reporting the far right in Europe that Brussels branch is organised in Brussels on 29 September.

New Freelance Industrial Council Representative
It was also announced the meeting that John Chapman of Brussels branch has been elected as the continental European representative to the Freelance Industrial Council (FIC), the NUJ body specifically tasked with tackling all things freelance. A total of 78 votes were cast in the ballot. John won 44 and his opponent, the incumbent FIC representative Teresa Robins, won 34. John's an experienced NUJ activist and former chair of the Continental European Council (CEC).

Simon Coss .