Labour Court Database
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File Number: CD/93/631
Case Number: LCR14291
Section / Act: S26(1)
Parties: PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND - and - NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
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Subject:
Revision of the terms of a freelance agreement.
Recommendation:
The Court has given careful consideration to the submissions of
the parties. The Court makes the following recommendations as
representing a reasonable basis for a resolution of the issues in
dispute:-
LINAGE The present system of measurement to be
retained; the rate for 25 lines to be
increased to #4.75 and the rate per line
to be 10.5p;
ORDERED STORIES The revised rate to be fixed at #8.25;
PHOTOGRAPHY The basic rate to be #9; the repeat rate
to be #2.10
COLOUR 10% increase on the above photography
rates;
FEATURES The revised rate to be fixed at #25.25;
FIXED RETAINERS The existing rates to be increased in
line with the increase in CPI, February,
1992 - August 1993, i.e., 2.7%;
DURATION The revised rates set out above to apply
from 1st September, 1993 for a period of
15 months ending 30 November, 1994.
Division: Ms Owens Mr Brennan Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD93631 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR14291
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES:
PROVINCIAL NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND
AND
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
SUBJECT:
1. Revision of the terms of a freelance agreement.
BACKGROUND:
2. The dispute concerns 120 freelance workers including
reporters, writers and press photographers employed in the
provinces. The existing agreement between the parties expired on
the 31st May, 1993. The agreement stipulates payments to be made
under the following headings: linage, assessment, ordered stories,
photographs, features, casual rate, fixed rates and retainers,
mileage, expenses and monthly payments. The Union is seeking to
renegotiate a new twelve-month agreement as from 1st June, 1993.
At local level discussions agreement was reached on a number of
issues. Agreement could not be reached on the following: linage,
ordered stories, photographs, features, fixed retainers and
duration of the agreement. Details of the Union's claim and the
Provincial Newspapers Association of Ireland offers are set out
hereunder.
UNION'S CLAIM PNAI's OFFER
Linage #5.00 - 25 lines #4.70 - 25 lines
11p thereafter 10.5p thereafter
Ordered stories #8.25 plus linage #8.20 plus linage
Photographs #9.25 (B/W) #8.95
#2.50 repeat #2.10
Colour - 50% on B/W No offer
Features #27.50 #25.00
Fixed retainers 4% Rate of inflation
Duration 12 months from 1/6/93 18 months from date
of settlement
The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission and a
conciliation conference was held on the 14th October, 1993. As no
agreement was reached the dispute was referred to the Labour Court
on the 27th October, 1993. A Court hearing was held on the 3rd
December, 1993.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The Union's original claim (details supplied to the
Court) has been amended considerably yet the Employers'
offers have been derisory, particularly in relation to
photographs. Photographic materials and chemicals have
increased in price by 10% over the past two years.
2. The most comparable agreements for similar operations in
the country would be the Associated Agreement of Northern
Ireland where there are similar circulations but rates are
considerably higher than those paid to the workers concerned.
3. The Union, by reducing its original claim substantially
has made every effort to facilitate the Employers in
concluding a new agreement.
EMPLOYERS' ARGUMENTS
4. 1. The industry is experiencing an accelerated decline in
revenue both from circulation and advertising, with
competition at an unprecedented level. A significant amount
of revenue is being diverted to local radio. Another factor
is the publication of freesheets, produced on a simple
computer, advertising at very low rates with which the PNAI
members are unable to compete.
2. The re-balancing by Telecom Eireann of local call
charges during week-day business has had a serious impact on
costs.
3. It should be noted that many freelancers work for
different newspapers and are often paid a number of times for
the same work.
4. The employers' offer in the present difficult economic
climate is fair and reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Court has given careful consideration to the submissions of
the parties. The Court makes the following recommendations as
representing a reasonable basis for a resolution of the issues in
dispute:-
LINAGE The present system of measurement to be
retained; the rate for 25 lines to be
increased to #4.75 and the rate per line
to be 10.5p;
ORDERED STORIES The revised rate to be fixed at #8.25;
PHOTOGRAPHY The basic rate to be #9; the repeat rate
to be #2.10
COLOUR 10% increase on the above photography
rates;
FEATURES The revised rate to be fixed at #25.25;
FIXED RETAINERS The existing rates to be increased in
line with the increase in CPI, February,
1992 - August 1993, i.e., 2.7%;
DURATION The revised rates set out above to apply
from 1st September, 1993 for a period of
15 months ending 30 November, 1994.
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Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
14th December, 1993 Evelyn Owens
T.O.D./M.M. _______________
Deputy Chairman
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should by addressed to
Mr. Tom ODea, Court Secretary.