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February 13, 2009

Journalism pay rises still possible in downturn, NUJ finds

By Owen Amos

The NUJ has produced a rundown of the journalists who have recently won that increasingly rare phenomenon – a pay rise.

Since December, pay freezes have been announced at – among others – Express Newspapers, the Financial Times, Independent News and Media, Reed Business Information, Newsquest, Johnston Press and most areas of Trinity Mirror.

But the union’s National Executive Council has found that, despite the downturn, some pay rises have still been won.

Journalists at Scottish and Universal, Trinity Mirror’s Scottish arm, are to receive a three per cent increase – the second part of an agreed two-year deal.

The Clyde and Forth Press in Ayrshire, which publishes titles including the Greenock Telegraph and Paisley People, awarded a 2.5 per cent rise across its eight chapels.

STV, the central Scotland ITV franchisee, has agreed a pay deal worth between three and five per cent.

At the Scarborough Evening News, the NUJ chapel accepted a 3.25 per cent rise – just before owners Johnston Press implemented a group-wide pay freeze.

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The Telegraph Media Group announced a three-year deal in January, awarding rises of 2.5 per cent, 1.5 per cent, and 2.5 per cent respectively.

And finally, most National Union of Journalists chapels at B2B publisher Informa won a five per cent rise, while publishers Orion and Random House have also agreed pay rises from 2.5 to 4 per cent, depending on salary.

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