Recognition in sight at PearsonIt’s been a frustrating time at Pearson Education, Oxford, working with recognised chapels elsewhere in the company to address the problems like the pay freeze, but unable to negotiate directly themselves. It’s been a frustrating time at Pearson Education, Oxford, working with recognised chapels elsewhere in the company to address the problems like the pay freeze, but unable to negotiate directly themselves. Last month, in an unexpected twist halfway through the statutory recognition procedure, the company brought in a new argument to the effect that a single-union agreement with Unite across the whole of Pearson Education would be the only workable arrangement. The Central Arbitration Committee overseeing this process did not agree, however, and staff should finally be getting their chance to vote on NUJ recognition within weeks.
- Meanwhile, journalists at Pearson’s highly profitable flagship title, the Financial Times, are standing up for journalism by opposing the loss of 20 editorial jobs. More than 150 of the 220-strong NUJ chapel crammed into the FT canteen for a lunchtime meeting, which was addressed by NUJ honorary member Tony Benn. Messages of support were delivered from diverse parts of the Pearson empire. Dona Velluti, joint MoC, was there from Oxford, together with Rebecca Lee, MoC at Penguin DK. The Unite chapel at Pearson, Harlow, also pledged its full support.
AW 2009-02-06
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