London Photographers Branch

Yesterday there was a meeting attended by just over 30  photographers with an overwhelming vote (26 for, 1 against, 1 abstention) for the formation of a London Photographers Branch (LPB) of the NUJ. Of course forming a new union branch is a matter for the National Executive Committee to decide, but yesterday’s meeting certainly makes it more likely.

Debate at the meeting was almost entirely about the geographical nature of the proposed branch, which for several reasons, most particularly the union’s constitution, seemed irrelevant and at times more about particular photographer’s emotional issues than the substance of the matter.  A motion proposing it be proposed as a ‘national’ branch was reject by a roughly 2:1 majority.

Photographers (and videographers) do face different problems working on the streets to other journalists, and these have been particularly acute for those working in London both because it it the focus of so much protest but also because of the particular responses of the Met.

The NUJ was formed in an earlier age, essentially based around the ‘chapel’ or workplace organisation. There are also branches set up on a geographical basis – such as the unions largest branch, the London Freelance Branch (LFB), to which many of those at the meeting currently belong.

Most photographers are freelance, with fewer staff and agency positions every year, and they share many of their problems with other freelances – so being a part of the LFB makes sense. The LFB has tried its best to recognise and cater for the special problems photographers face – photographers form a large percentage of its membership and committee – but I think many photographers feel it is unsatisfactory.

Membership of the proposed LPB would be open to all photographers who work in London wherever they live – and would certainly include many based in London who spend much of their time working elsewhere around the world. It would both freelance, agency and also staff photographers, (you can belong both to a chapel and a branch, but only one branch) thus uniting photographers in all modes of employment.

Photography isn’t just an issue for photographers. At a time when more and more journalists are being handed cameras and told to take photographs, does it make sense to separate ourselves from our fellow union members in a separate branch?  Only I think because the NUJ doesn’t appear to allow any other way forward.

For some years the NUJ has repeatedly turned down the need for a photography organiser to work for the particular interests of photographers – and I would expect the LPB to continue the pressure on this. Photographers based wherever the union has chapels or branches need to see their special needs recognised throughout the union.

These are of course hard times for photographers – and also for other journalists, both with changing technology and economic conditions. Times when we need the union more than ever, and the support of our colleagues.

At the end of the meeting a freelance working for the Guardian/Observer brought up the issue of the rights grab they intend to impose on contributors. In April the management made a decision to stop paying fees for any re-use of images. Guardian freelances refused the new terms and are being supported by staff in the Guardian chapel, but so far the management has refused to talk.

The Guardian’s action strikes at the very core of photographers copyright and rights management, although it isn’t something that solely affects photographers. Of course if we let the Guardian get away with it, then others will surely follow their lead.

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