NUJ attracts more young female reps and members

Young women in the NUJ journalists' union have bucked the trend by increasingly taking on representative roles, according to a survey carried out by the union.

Over the past three years, 41% of new reps elected were women, raising the number of female NUJ reps to 26% of the total.

And 58% of those new reps are under 35. Among new male reps, only 37% are in this age range.

"Our reps are becoming younger, more representative of the members they serve," the union said.

The survey also looked at reps' facilities and activities. "The NUJ's successes in winning back recognition in dozens of workplaces have had an effect," it said. "In those workplaces, reps have more facilities, they are able to achieve more and there is less discontent over pay and conditions."

It found the top four issues dealt with by reps were:

* keeping the union informed of the work of the union;

* handling individual problems;

*negotiating on collective issues such as pay, hours and other terms and conditions; and

* recruiting new members.

The trend for more women to become reps reflects the changing composition of the NUJ's membership. In the year to the end of September 2004, the union saw twice as many women join as men (340 compared to 158).

And for the fifth year running, the union's membership saw a net increase - the total is now 36,021, with women now constituting 39% of the paying NUJ membership.