With regard to the recent Appeals Tribunal case, leading to the reinstatement of West of Scotland Freelance member, Bill McLean, the President noted that the technicality, as referred to by the Appeals Tribunal, could be seen as a matter that could be interpreted in more than one way. This, he argued, could have led to a different decision by the Appeals Tribunal.

However, he revealed that the NEC had since discussed the matter in detail and proposed measures intended to simplify the union’s disciplinary procedures and to ensure that the rules would be effected efficiently in future.

He accepted a point from the floor that the NUJ must learn from past experiences and produce robust procedures, which would be implemented competently, in order to retain the confidence of the members.

The President also listened to questions on other matters of direct relevance to members in Scotland, chiefly the issues of office premises and the union in Scotland’s relationship with the legal firm, Thompson’s Scotland.

Members emphasised the point that the current Glasgow office premises are unsuitable, particularly with reference to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. The President was willing to sympathise with these views, although time-tabling had prevented him from inspecting the Union Street office facilities.

The Scottish Organiser, Paul Holleran, detailed a number of issues relating to the NUJ’s relationship with the retained legal firm, Thompson’s. Paul referred to a number of occasions on which he noted that Thompson’s Scotland and the Scottish NUJ officers had differing views, many of which he viewed as being to the detriment of Scottish members, both directly and in terms of members’ general confidence in the NUJ. The President listened and promised to relay all opinions expressed.