Just go for it! Maybe you too could get a £3000 a year pay riseUnfair pay discrepancies between people doing similar work is something most of us have come across at one time or another. Unfair pay discrepancies between people doing similar work is something most of us have come across at one time or another. It contributes to the gap between the average wage of men and women, and it is unjust, and penalises workers both in their pocket and by making them feel their contribution is neither recognised nor valued.
This time last year the branch mailing highlighted some key equal pay cases that the union had won, and urged members in a similar position to ‘have a go’ at getting justice. We are therefore delighted to be able to offer congratulations to a former Oxford branch committee member (now in the Press and PR branch) who did have a go – and secured a £3000 pay rise with the help of the union.
She told the story in a letter to the Journalist.
“I work as a press officer for a union representing health workers. A PA I work with was paid £2,000 more than I. The pay gap between my male boss and I was at least £14,000 but I do all the ghost writing and successful story ideas pitches to national journalists.
“When my annual review came in November I raised the issue of the discrepancy. I was asked to submit a proposal for a review of my job and the NUJ’s recommended pay scales for press officers in London.
“I contacted the Press and PR branch. Within an hour, I had emails stating that the rate should be between £31-34,000 (not including London weighting). I was being paid £25,500 including London weighting.
“With Branch chair Mick Gosling I met the HR manager to negotiate. She was so impressed by Mick that she left early to type a memo recommending that I receive a £4,000 increase. I actually received £3,000, but my experience proves that you can negotiate a rise even if you are not in a recognised NUJ chapel. You can beat management with the support of your branch.”
AW 2009-09-04
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