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Next event:
Steve Morgan's arctic adventures
Tuesday 13 September 2005 , 7.30pm, The White Lion, Hebden Bridge.
Branch member Steve Morgan talks about his photographic work with Greenpeace, including his most recent expedition to the glaciers of Greenland. Not to be missed!

An evening with the president
Monday 28 November 2005 , The Square Chapel, Halifax.
Following last year's visit by George Corrigal, we're proud to host new NUJ President Tim Lezard for another open discussion about the union. A great opportunity to hear more about what the union is doing and its plans for the future, and to ask questions of its senior lay member.

Recent events:
NUJ Freelance Day of Action
Thuesday 7June 2005, The White Lion, Hebden Bridge.
As part of the NUJ's first Freelance Day of Action, the Calderdale branch hosted an open meeting on How to make freelancing in the media more enjoyable and more profitable. Topics discussed included marketing and websites, tackling the Beeb on copyright, the best ways to get started each day at work, and how homeworkers can overcome the perils of 'Thunderbird 5 Syndrome'.

Democracy, politics and the press: why democracy in Britain needs a thriving independent press
Monday 14 March 2005, Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge.
A well-attended open meeting called by Calderdale NUJ, with special guest Hilary Wainwright, editor of Red Pepper magazine.

AGM
Tuesday 18 January 2005, White Lion, Hebden Bridge
The branch's annual general meeting. Following the usual business, Adam Christie, the Yorkshire representative on the NUJ's Freelance Industrial Council, lead a discussion on issues affecting freelance members, and what the union is doing for them.

Meet the President
Tuesday 7 December 2004, Square Chapel, Halifax
With special guest Jim Corrigal, president of the NUJ.
Jim, the most senior lay member of the union, offered his assessment of the current 'state of the union' – generally positive, with more recognition agreements (150+), the signing of a learning agreement at the Daily Telegraph (the first such agreement at a national newspaper), and the growth of professional training available from the NUJ. More women than men are now joining the union, and more women are now union representatives.
Less positive is the continuing low pay in the sector, with women's pay still significantly below men's. However, journalists' pay did rise by 5.1% last year (official government figures). The strategic fight is on low pay, and group chapels are a necessary part of this.
Jim went on to discuss the need to defend public service broadcasting (PSB). There are two reviews taking place at present, one from Ofcom (TV only) and also the BBC Charter renewal review. PSB is more than just BBC, since ITV, Ch 4, SC4 andCh5 all have public service obligations. The union has been winning the arguments recently to defend PSB, but dangers remain. The BBC is cutting admin posts and moving towards more use of independents. More news on potential cuts will be announced in March. NUJ bottom line is no compulsory redundancies, and no forced relocation. The retreat from the regions by the BBC and ITV is being encouraged by Ofcom. The union has been meeting Ofcom to discuss our concerns.

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