NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS

In concentrating on the Newsquest dispute we obviously neglected everywhere else to a degree and we are now having to deal with the implications. For example The Daily Record chapel is ready for a dispute over various issues including bullying and staff shortages. A number of grievances have been submitted and talks on the problems are happening at the moment.

Clyde and Forth group chapels across Ayrshire have submitted a collective grievance and along with the Scottish Organiser met management to discuss widespread problems related to the heavy workload and expectations on staff to act up and cover absent editors without suitable payment. A range of health and safety issues were also raised and are being dealt with office by office.

Chapels at Scotsman Publications have formed a group chapel committee to look at joint initiatives on pay structures, a new technology agreement and staffing issues.

Scottish Provincial Press chapel took a hard line against the introduction of extra work on the company website. An enabling agreement was eventually reached and monitoring of the workload is currently taking place across the Highlands.

Freelance photographers in the Highlands are up in arms following the appointment of four new staff photographers in SPP. It appears selective distribution of freelance work is now taking place with union activists possibly being victimised.