Strikes possible at Al Jazeera

SOME 40 NUJ members who are employees of broadcaster Al Jazeera International Ltd in the UK were balloted on strike action in a ballot that closed on 17 October.

Of those who voted, 96.97 per cent voted for strike action after rejecting a pay offer of 4.5 per cent and a lump sum of £500 for those earning under £50,000. This is at a time when inflation is running at over 10 per cent. Stand by for possible strike dates.

Al Jazeera broadcast technicians in the Bectu union have also voted for strike action.

Freelances in UK law have no right to strike, but they may wish to keep an eye on upcoming strike dates (via @NUJ_LFB and @NUJofficial on Twitter) for days on which they may find themselves unavailable if offered shifts companies where NUJ members are on strike.

Any NUJ freelances who suffer a loss of income as a result of turning down shifts offered during a strike should contact the NUJ Chapel (workplace-based unit of NUJ organisation) for that media group.

NUJ members who work at the National World newspaper titles in Scotland have also voted for industrial action over compulsory redundancies. Check the links above for any updates on possible strike dates at National World.

© Matt Salusbury

• Strikes at Al Jazeera UK will no longer take place following the company's 4.5 per cent pay offer to members in 2022 and 2023.