Striking journalists deserve respect and fair pay
31 August 2022
Labour Party Senator and spokesperson for Employment Affairs, Marie Sherlock. has today (Wednesday, 31st August) said that management at Reach newspapers must respect its workers and negotiate with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on fair pay and conditions.
Speaking at a solidarity action in support of over 1,150 striking journalists across Ireland and the UK in Dublin today, Senator Sherlock said:
“Right now, far too many journalists and media workers are being paid far too little for the sheer volume and variety of work they produce every single day of the week. Journalists do a vital job holding power to account. They deserve fair pay and should not have to take this strike action.
Management at Reach need to get their act together and genuinely engage with NUJ representatives rather than refuse point blank to come to a negotiated settlement, particularly at a time when top executives and shareholders at the company are raking it in.
Media workers and journalists are not immune from the cost of living crisis and many journalists are now experiencing extreme levels of hardship that will turn people off entering the industry. The reality is that quality journalism is a cornerstone of our democracy and all those working in this noble and proud profession should have good jobs, secure work and decent wages."