Yorkshire print journalists agree rules on new media

An "enabling agreement" governing the introduction of new media such as video reporting has been negotiated at the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post, as part of a new two-year pay deal for the newspapers' journalists.

The pay award in the first year will be between 4.15% and 4.44%, depending on the average level of the retail prices index (RPI) between August and November this year. The second-year increase will be the RPI plus 0.25%, although this figure will be subject to re-negotiation if inflation falls outside certain limits.

The enabling agreement was negotiated after members of the NUJ journalists' union voted last year for a freeze on new media training. The health and safety implications of adopting new media were a particular concern: "Issues included the safety of staff carrying expensive recording equipment into trouble spots, insurance [and] assessing the risks on certain jobs," said NUJ rep Peter Lazenby.

To address these issues, the new agreement covers risk assessments as well as working hours and shifts. And monthly meetings will be held to discuss progress on introducing new media to the newspapers.

Highlighting the difficulties involved in the negotiations, Lazenby explained that the employer "does not know what will actually work or make money", with the result that the introduction of new media will "of necessity be experimental".

"New media means additional work for journalists," he added. "We were determined it would not mean longer hours."