Pearson: nine out of ten prefer the NUJThe Pearson chapel is waiting to hear back from the Central Arbitration Committee on its application for union recognition at Pearson Education (Oxford). The Pearson chapel is waiting to hear back from the Central Arbitration Committee on its application for union recognition at Pearson Education (Oxford).
On October 3rd, the NUJ submitted an application for the right to negotiate collectively for all NUJ-eligible staff at the North Oxford-based publishing company. The request was backed by a petition signed by 117 of the circa 130 posts which would be covered by the agreement, indicating a very high level of support.
The strength of support for the NUJ is also apparent in the level of membership, which has been steadily increasing despite a high staff turnover.
One major reason is the difference the Pearson chapel has made over the past year. Despite having had no right to negotiate collectively, it has helped resolve members’ individual problems on a number of fronts, including issues relating to pay and hours, as well as bullying and career development.
The NUJ has applied for recognition for staff in all editorial roles (from editorial trainee to senior publisher, including instructional designer), for all designers (including creative leads) and for picture researchers and digital asset managers. Recognition would mean that, as well as being able to defend the interests of members individually, the chapel can negotiate collectively over key matters such as pay, hours and holidays.
Chapel committee member Selina Lim said, “The rules governing recognition were set up to ensure that where staff want to have collective representation, they can have it. Staff at Pearson Education have shown very clearly what they want, and we are confident that they will get it.”
AW 2008-11-02
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