London Photographers' Branch

25 January Branch Meeting and AGM

Branch passed the following motion proposed by Andrew Wiard.

“It is the policy of this branch that “It is a logical and legal absurdity to talk of licensing works of authors who cannot be identified while there are still significant groups of authors who do not have the right to be identified”.

This branch notes with alarm that the British Copyright Council may be about to do just that, apparently with the support of the Freelance Industrial Council of the NUJ.

This branch calls on the FIC to not collude in such absurdity, but to insist on authors being granted full moral rights, including the right to be identified whenever their works are published, as a precondition for any proposed solution to the problem of orphan works.”

Branch agreed Jules Mattsson to be TUC Young Members Conference Delegate.

Branch agreed Michael Preston  to be FIC Disabled Members Seat.

AGM

Branch voted all the following unopposed – Jess Hurd, Chair – Andrew Wiard, Vice Chair – Jason N. Parkinson Secretary/Welfare Officer – Larry Herman, Treasurer – Michael Preston Equality Officer – Philip Wolmuth, Learning Rep.

The Branch voted the following people non-portfolio – Franc David and Jules Mattsson.

Membership and Legal positions were left to be discussed in committee.

The Branch also elected two auditors – John Harris and Paul Mattsson.

The Branch elected Jess Hurd and Marc Vallee DM 2010 delegates.

1 February 2011, February Committee

Nothing.

22 February 2011, February Branch

The Following motion proposed Janina Struk was passed.

“The editor of the Journalist has used and continues to use photographs supplied by agencies not known for their respect of the NUJ’s recommended pay guidelines. This is unacceptable. The London Photographers’ Branch calls on the editor of the Journalist magazine to respect trade union principles and publish only those photographs that are taken by NUJ members and paid for at the appropriate NUJ recommended rate of pay as outlined in the Freelance Fees Guide.
Attacks on photographers’ rates of pay and conditions are on the increase with some picture agencies, magazines and indeed those producing union journals quibbling over rates and paying less than those recommended by the NUJ. If our own union journal does not uphold the standards that have been long fought for by the union and its photographers, then we cannot expect others to do the same. This practice undermines the hard work of the NUJ and its photographers in the increasingly difficult struggle to keep rates of pay at fair and at acceptable levels.”

The following motion proposed by Jess Hurd was passed.

“NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear has announced that he will not be standing again for election. LPB would like to send its thanks for the continued support of the branch, its work and the campaigns our members have been involved in. Especially the successful “I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist” campaign work against the surveillance and targeting of photographers. We wish you every happiness for the future.”

The following motion proposed by Jess Hurd was passed.

“This branch supports our fellow media colleagues in Egypt, their successful struggle to overthrow Hosni Mubarak and their continued strikes and protests for a free media and towards a democratically run society.

We condemn the attacks on foreign and local media. The intimidation, abduction, torture and murder of our colleagues and Egyptian citizens by pro Mubarak forces.

This branch is also outraged by the sexist comments about CBS journalist Lara Logan following reports of her sexual assault and beaten whilst covering events in Tahrir Square. This is a classic case of blaming the victim.

Men and women in the media should be free to document world events without fear of such targeting. Our role as news gatherers must be respected and we must be allowed to work without intimidation, arrest, attack or harassment.

This branches sends solidarity greetings to the newly formed free and democratic unions in Egypt and our sister media organisation. We also send our best wishes to Lara Logan for a speedy recovery.”

The following motion proposed by Larry Herman was opposed.

“That the LPB agrees to give £25 to the NUJ fund drive to buy a sound system for the 26 March Anti-Cuts demonstration.”

Branch voted Andrew Wiard to be Membership Secretary.

Branch voted Larry Herman to be Joint Secretary with Jason N. Parkinson

Branch voted Jason N. Parkinson to be Web Editor.

Secretary Jason N. Parkinson met with NUJ’s PAmela Morton and representatives from Met police to discuss EDL threats to NUJ and members. Safety precautions taken at NUJ office and affected members approached on safety while covering their protests.

2 March 2011 Committee

Agreed that the four delegate/alternatives to meet before March Branch to discuss resolutions and prepare discussion for Branch.

Andrew Wiard resigned as Membership Secretary.

Union membership issues were raised.

It was agreed Andrew Wiard, Franc David, Jules Mattsson and Larry Herman would form a “membership working group” to bring ideas to next committee meeting.

29 March 2011 Branch

The following motion proposed by Marc Vallee was passed.

“This Branch is greatly concerned by the introduction of the emergency stop and search power section 47A of the terrorism Act 2000.
This Branch agrees that police stop and search powers that do not require suspicion of an individual have and can impact on journalists right to report and record events.”

The following amendment to the above motion proposed by Andrew Wiard was opposed.

Amendment:
Delete: “greatly” in line one, and add at end: ” but recognises that it is a dramatic improvement upon the Section 44 it replaces.”
Add at the end of line two: “but recognises they may be necessary when, in the words of Section 47A, a senior police officer reasonably suspects that an act of terrorism will (not might) take place, and that such searches are considered necessary to prevent it. This Branch welcomes the abolition of the far more sweeping powers of Section 44.”

The following motion was presented to the branch.

“The Branch will reserve the right to have a closed members only session for any Branch meeting.
If the committee decides prior to the start of a meeting that it will have a closed session, this will be announced at the start of the meeting. Also, should a sensitive discussion ensue, this, at the discretion of the chair, is moved to A.O.B. and then would be “members only”.

Decision: Branch agreed to refer back to next Branch AGM (standing orders issue)

Following the DM delegates meeting the motions were reported to the branch as in General agreement with exception to those raised below.

Branch opposes motion 47:

This Delegate Meeting instructs the NEC to amend the rules and in particular the Code of Conduct to include the principal that a journalist should normally seek the consent of an appropriate adult when interviewing or photographing a child for a story about his/her welfare.

Motion 57: Controversial but no Branch decision

Motion 128: This Delegate meeting recognises the persistence of low pay in many parts of the industry and the development of new forms of journalism and new working practices.
DM therefore recognises that the requirement that applicants must earn at least half their income from journalism is increasingly unrealistic.
DM instructs the NEC to amend the rules to give effect to the principal that those who earn at least a quarter of their income from journalism should qualify for full membership.

Branch passed the DM delegates decision.

Branch agreed that joint secretaries, Jason Parkinson and Larry Herman, act on future membership applicants and LPB recruitment continues as normal.

5 April 2011 Committee

Jason Parkinson took all Andrew Wiard’s concerns to membership (temporary press cards and proposers/seconders) and was satisfied with their response.

Branch agreed to continue recruitment as Membership requested.

It was suggested Andrew Wiard should write a motion covering his concerns to next branch meeting.

The Membership working group had not taken place.

Following the Demotix Branch discussion a meeting with Andrew Wiard, John Toner, Jenny Lennox and Turi Munthe had been agreed – Andrew was asked to report back to branch, John Toner to report to FIC and NEC.

The Committee agreed to publish report from this meeting.

On Police issuing their own press cards Andrew Wiard would get John Toner to talk to ACPO, UKPCA.

26 April 2011 Branch

Nothing

3 May 2011 Committee

Agreed Larry Herman to draft letter to John Toner inviting him to attend LPB branch meetings.

Andrew Wiard reported on meeting between NUJ and police regarding UK Press Authority Press cards. Future meetings are planned and it was agreed that someone from LPB will be there. Andrew to attend the next meeting and will inform branch committee if unable, so another will go to meeting.

31 May 2011 Branch

The following motion proposed by Larry Herman was passed.

“The LPB agrees to send a delegate to the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom AGM in July. It also agrees to pay the £16 delegate fee.”

The Branch agreed that Larry Herman should be the delegate.

7 June 2011 Committee

John Toner attending Project Griffin (police guideline meeting private security), to be asked for report by Grant Smith.

John Toner responded top Larry Hermans branch invite letter – he attends LFB as a member. His job is Freelance organiser.

The committee agreed he should attend in that role, at some future meetings.

Jason Parkinson agreed to write to CPBF on issue of non-payment of photography after issue was raised by LPB member David Hoffman.

Jess Hurd and Franc David to work on a welcome letter to new members.

28 June 2011 Branch

Jason Parkinson reported on the elections for 2011/13 NEC, Ethics Council, CEC, SEC, WEC and  Industrial Councils – Deadline 31 August.

Jason Parkinson Reported on restructuring meeting with NUJ President and some other London Branches.

5 July 2011 Committee

Grant spoke to John Toner on the Project Griffin meeting (police guidelines for security guards). John did not attend, someone else attended – John Toner will get us a report.

Jason Parkinson had written a report for NUJ legal department on the new concussion grenades currently being used in Greece and possibly to be used in other European countries.

It was Andrew Wiard to act as branch liaison with FIC and others, subject to a vote by branch members.

Committee agreed to create an NUJ document for stewards – taken from the police guidelines. LPB to draft one for London events, sent to John Toner to send it out. Also offer to send members to talk to stewards prior to events.

26 July 2011 Branch

Andrew Wiard unanimously nominated by the LPB to stand for the Freelance Industrial Council (FIC) London seat.

Michael Preston unanimously nominated by the LPB to stand for the FIC and the National Executive Council (NEC) disabled.

The following motion proposed by Jason Parkinson was passed.

“This branch agrees to pay the printing costs involved in the day-to-day running of the London Photographers’ Branch, a total of £60.98 from July 2010 to July 2011.”

Matt Aslett was co-opted onto committee; agreed unanimously by Branch.

Branch Vimeo hosting site set up, costing $50 annually. Branch agreed unanimously.

6 September 2011 Committee

FIC, Industrial Councils election nominations delivered.

Ethics Council nomination time extended to end of October.

Had reply back from CPBF on member complaint and have passed response on.

27 September 2011 Branch

The following motion was proposed by Paul Mattsson.

“The Travellers who live at Dale Farm in Essex are threatened with forced eviction by Basildon Council. There have been many infringements of the NUJ Code of Conduct and the Union’s general guidelines on reporting race and the London Photographers’ Branch (LPB) is dismayed by much of the reporting of local people organising to defend their homes. The LPB is also disappointed by the general lack of support and involvement of the wider labour and trade union movement in showing solidarity with Dale Farm residents and supporters.

The LPB commends all those NUJ members, including many members of the LPB, who have reported events at Dale Farm in an ethical manner.

The LPB requests the NUJ to issue a statement defending the Code of Conduct and Reporting Race guidelines and to support the Dale Farm Traveller’s campaign defending their community.

The LPB also calls upon the NUJ to issue a statement that the Union will defend any NUJ member who refuses to obey management if told to print and/or broadcast any material which goes against the Union’s Code of Conduct.”

The following motion, proposed by Paul Mattsson, amended by Jason Parkinson, was passed.

“The Travellers who live at Dale Farm in Essex are threatened with forced eviction by Basildon Council. There have been many infringements of the NUJ Code of Conduct and the Union’s general guidelines on reporting race and the London Photographers’ Branch (LPB) is dismayed by much of the reporting of local people organising to defend their homes.

As a branch of the trade union the LPB is also disappointed by the general lack of support and involvement of the wider labour and trade union movement in showing solidarity with Dale Farm residents and call upon the NUJ to issue a statement of support the Dale Farm Traveller’s campaign defending their community.

The LPB commends all those NUJ members, including many members of the LPB, who have reported events at Dale Farm in an ethical manner.

The LPB also calls upon the NUJ to issue a statement that the Union will defend any NUJ member who refuses to obey management if told to print and/or broadcast any material which goes against the Union’s Code of Conduct.”

The following motion was proposed by Jason Parkinson was passed.

“This branch expresses grave concern over the Metropolitan Police using court orders to obtain unpublished material of the disorder in August from media organisations.

We condemn the actions of broadcasters and organisations who have handed over material voluntarily and express serious concern at those who chose not to challenge the court orders. Their actions will result in added risk to the safety of news gatherers working in public order situations, as well as undermining ethical principles, impartiality and press freedom in the UK.

The NUJ is strongly against unpublished journalistic material being used as evidence and will defend members according to the principles set out in the NUJ Code of Conduct, including material and sources.”

4 October 2011 Committee

Reported Dale Farm motion supported unanimously by Kensington and Chelsea Trades Councils.

Larry submitted the Dale Farm resolution to The Journalist – possibility for next issue.

25 October 2011 Branch

Reported the Guardian is still fighting a production order over the Uk riots. There have also been some informal requests, to professionals and amateurs.

Reported that all photographers and lens-based media make sure they are registered with head office in order to vote or stand in NEC Photographers’ Seat election, estimated to be in January or February.

John Millington FOC Morning Star chapel came to discuss Morning Star pictures rates. Discussions to continue.

1 November 2011 Committee

Nothing.

29 November 2011 Branch

NUJ general secretary’s letter to members distributed to meeting, asking for NUJ members to contact head office with ideas/experiences.

Reported that UK Press Card Authority met and agreed to discuss at their next meeting, a “code of conduct” for card carriers.

It was agreed that individual Branch members should cooperate with head office and consider making submissions to Headland House (HH). Branch committee to prepare further and fuller Branch discussion as soon as possible.

Reported on a meeting with the NUJ campaigns officer where a Production orders campaign was proposed.

Membership concerns raised again, agreed to refer back to committee and seek clarity from HH.

6 December 2011 Committee

Committee agreed to co-opt Carmen Valino.

Agreed to get members to do a print, raffle off, raise bit of money for good cause.

Committee agreed there should be a Press Card Authority code of conduct.

Jason Parkinson reported on Essex police issuing production orders over Dale Farm eviction.

Membership issues were raised again. Andrew Wiard to raise a motion to the next NUJ DM.

Agreed Franc to start assisting with audio work.

Agreed Jules Mattsson to assume full responsibility of LPB Twitter and Facebook.

Reported that the BAJ are giving students free press cards.

14 December 2011 Branch

Noted the meeting was not quorate.

The following motion was presented to the branch by Andrew Wiard.

”Following hostile criticism of press photographers at the Leveson Inquiry to which there has not yet been an opportunity to reply, this branch calls on the General `Secretary to draw the attention of the Inquiry to the NUJ code of conduct, and to recommend that moral rights be extended to all journalists as a further safeguard against misuse of their material. It further calls on the UKPCA ( UK Press cards Authority ) to draft a code of conduct for those carrying the national press card.”

As meeting was not quorate the motion will be raised at first committee meeting in 2012.

Andrew Wiard reported FIC agreed there should be a code of conduct for the UK Press Card. There also should be moral rights.

11 January 2012 Committee

It was agreed;

To organise working groups in business section, to pull non-committee members into running of branch.

Put more input into the business section, bring in more current work-related issues.

Promote what is happening in business section, motions and issues raised – be relevant.

Agreed that Larry to check use of emails addresses from membership list.

Update the membership greeting with sentence on subscribing to the website to get the newsletter.

The following motion was presented to committee by Andrew Wiard.

“Following hostile criticism of press photographers at the Leveson Inquiry to which there has not yet been an opportunity to reply, this branch calls on the General Secretary to draw the attention of the Inquiry to the NUJ code of conduct, and to recommend that moral rights be extended to all journalists as a further safeguard against misuse of their material. It further calls on the UKPCA ( UK Press cards Authority ) to draft a code of conduct for those carrying the national press card.”

Grant Smith said the motion is confusing – he will organise a re-draft with Andrew Wiard.

It was agreed the UKPCA code of conduct should be based on the NUJ code of conduct.

Larry Herman delivered the treasurers report to the committee.

It was agreed the UKPCA should raise issue with BAJ giving out free press cards to students.

It was agreed the Christmas raffle of £100 should go to the Dart Centre for journalism and Trauma.

Our meeting tomorrow will mark two years since the start of the London Photographers’ Branch. It has been a packed year, the highlights of which you can read in the Chair’s Annual Report 2011. We invite you all to come along and take part in the Annual General Meeting which will precede the normal monthly branch meeting with a speakers on the Leveson Enquiry and the prospect of French-style Privacy Law – details here

6pm sharp – NUJ Headland House – drinks and nibbles provided.

We will elect a new committee and two branch auditors. Any member is entitled to stand for committee, however to hold a post as branch officer you have to be a full member. Read the rest of this article »

Nominations for the the remaining Casual Vacancies on the National Executive Council (NEC), Ethic Council, Industrial and Executive Councils are to be in taken by end-of business on Friday 27 January 2012. These voluntary committee positions are for two years starting from January 2012. Each position is one seat unless otherwise stated.

Please contact joint secretary Jason N. Parkinson is you are interested in being nominated for a position.

The vacancies are as follows: Read the rest of this article »

The Tuesday 31 January 2012 London Photographers’ Branch meeting will host two important events.

First, it is the LPB AGM* where we elect our committee members & discuss the work of the branch for the coming year.

With the prospect of tighter restrictions resulting from the Leveson Inquiry, we will also be having an introduction by Paris based photographer Nigel Dickinson about the impact of Privacy Law on photography in France. Read the rest of this article »

On Friday 15 July LPB and other photography groups attended a meeting with the Home Office and senior police officers from counter terrorism to discuss guidance for security guards and how effective communication could be established between security industry and photographers. Read the rest of this article »

Talks by Richard Kalvar, Chris Steele-Perkins and Grant Smith

Richard Kalvar, a Magnum photographer talked about his formative years in New York City under the tutelage of a fashion photographer. Realising he wasn’t going to enjoy working as a fashion photographer, he took to the streets of New York and ‘found’ images. As a street photographer, he maintains that it is about observing. Photographs are not made, but found. ‘You have to feel curious and make connections with human beings.’ Kalvar argues that unless photography is difficult, there is no credibility in it. As he doesn’t crop his images, he has to get it right in the camera. Using a Leica with a 35mm lens, a camera, ‘…because it’s perfect and you don’t have to about the equipment, it allows you to concentrate on picture taking’, he went in close and captured images that juxtapose people, expressions, attitudes and street paraphernalia. He composed images with a prescient anticipation of circumstance.

Read the rest of this article »

The year began with the fantastic Mass Gathering, where thousand of photographers descended on Trafalgar Square to demonstrate their opposition to the targeting of photographers under s44 of the anti terrorism powers. Branch members have been key to the success of the I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist campaign. January also saw the launch of the London Photographers’ Branch (LPB) with branch officers and committee elected.

In February we launched our branch website and had our first meeting, a panel discussion on The Future of Photography with Martin Argles, John Harris and Kelvin Bruce.

A team of us made and delivered mini PHNAT placards to every MP ahead of the Hostile Reconnaissance pre election Rally at Friends Meeting House. A high profile platform of lawyers, authors and campaigners discussed civil rights and press freedom. We also commissioned and showed a video by Jason Parkinson to document the campaign which has been seen in colleges, trades Councils and recently the Houses of Parliament.

The Chair and Jonathan Warren were invited to speak at Belfast Exposed. Following an excellent talk by Stuart Freedman,Trying to tell the story? Ethics and Photojournalism we set up an Ethics Sub-Committee to revise the NUJ Code of Conduct in relation to visual journalism. We also affiliated to the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom and organised around the Guardian cuts in picture rates.

We discussed the Future of Copyright in April, with branch members Andrew Wiard, Guy Smallman, Freelance Organiser John Toner and celebrated the defeat of Clause 43 of the Digital Economy Bill. LPB Members were also central to campaigning around this.

In May members Andrew Wiard, David Hoffman and John Harris spoke at the National Photography Symposium in Derby.

June we had our First Aid Course, NUJ Regional Press Awards with the Chair and Andrew Wiard as judges. We also had a very informative meeting Convergence – Should we adapt and how? A panel discussion with photographer Edmond Terakopian and film editor Simon Ruben. Jason Parkinson and Marc Vallee won their legal case against Met Police for an incident at the Greek Embassy.

In July we organised a Victory Flash Mob outside New Scotland Yard after the suspension of the use of s44 following the successful campaign work and legal cases brought against the police including NUJ members in the European Court of Human Rights.

Party Conference season saw the threat of a photographer walkout (again), the Labour Party press office backed down from their plan to limit photographer numbers and select who they wanted to cover the leaders speech. The Branch Secretary also attended the Met police operational briefing for the Papal visit. We also had a victory in the James MacKay case a member who had his images deleted by the transport police.

We had a very intense month of campaigning in October with a fantastic branch meeting on the Future Of Street Photography with work from Grant Smith and Andrew Testa. Lawyers, Chez Cotton and Anna Mazzola, who have successfully represented many branch members were part of the debate alongside General Secretary Jeremy Dear.

The branch was also involved in the parliamentary meeting, Who’s afraid of photographers? – A seminar exploring society’s suspicions of cameras, with Jason N. Parkinson’s Hostile Reconnaissance film featuring in a session chaired by the LPB chair and David Hoffman giving a well received talk.

We also worked on a briefing for MP’s on the terrorism laws, as requested by the NUJ cross-party group of MP’s.

November the Chair and Branch Secretary gave a talk to photographers in Dublin. We had a great panel discussion on International Affairs, helpful tips and issues when shooting abroad, raising solidarity with photographers in the Palestine and the Philippines. The branch also setup a working group to discuss establishing or re-establishing NUJ agreements with national newspapers and news organisations for picture/video rates and commissions. We also had a report from a member involved in the successful collective action against the Tate Britain contract. After negotiations Jeremy Dear has agreed with LPB’s proposal to increase the budget (ring-fenced) for photography and web, a real success.

December saw a victory and large payout for David Hoffman in a case against the police for his assault at the G20. The Chair also had a very usefully timed response from the IPCC in her complaint about being stopped under s44 covering a traveller wedding.

Throughout the year we have represented and supported members under threat from the English Defence League. We have also helped members go through redundancy, claim compensation and raise complaints about the conduct of police officers and security guards. We have vigorously defended the UK Press Card and journalistic material, helped with welfare claims for injured photographers, sorted out membership enquiries, presented NUJ recruitment and ethics talks at universities.

We have held courses on, The Business of Photography, First Aid and plan a Photoshop/Workflow Course, Public Order/Self Defense, other affordable training courses and mentoring.

In the New Year we will be leading a campaign around private security and the privatisation of public space. We will also be producing an I’m a Photographer Not a Terrorist pamphlet, charting its success. We will also be engaging with other organisations in discussions on the impact of the Freedom Bill, further attacks to copyright and building for an event around Press Freedom Day in May.

I would like to thank the NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear and all the departments at NUJ HQ who have helped the branch navigate through our first year. The representation from our legal friends. All the voluntary work done by individual committee members and the branch members for their continued support and involvement.

Wednesday 27 October 2010 saw the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) seminar “Who’s Afraid of Photographers?” held in parliament. The meeting was set into three themed elements with an introductory speech by Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster.

MP Don Foster spoke of the importance of both professional and amateur photography, highlighted the misuse of various laws by police to restrict and stop public photography and called for Section 44 of the Terrorism Act to be repealed.
Read the rest of this article »

N.B. Motions from the branch and nominations for Delegate Meeting elected positions will be voted on at the next branch meeting on the 30th November. Motions should be sent to the Branch Secretary before the meeting.

As mentioned in the October branch meeting the NUJ Delegate Meeting (DM) dates for nominations and motions have arrived. Every branch is entitled to send delegates, motions and make nominations for the DM-elected positions. It is the decision-making body of the union. Our branch is entitled to two delegates to raise the issues of our sector. The dates are as follows.
NUJ Delegate Meeting – Southport - 8-10/04/2011

Receipt of motions and nominations (DM bodies) - 1pm 06/12/2010

Receipt of amendments and confirmation of Motions and DM nominations 1pm – 09/02/2011

Last date for registration of delegates – TBA
It was agreed by the committee the nomination of delegates should take place in January 2011 along with the election of branch officials – see November committee minutes.
The nominations for positions on DM-elected bodies are as follows. If any branch members wish to make nominations this will be done at the branch meeting on 30 November 2010.
Appeals Tribunal – 9 to be elected
Disabled Members’ Council – 10 to be elected
Equality Council – 7 to be elected
Journalist Editorial Advisory Board – 7 to be elected
NUJ Extra - 5 to be elected
Pensioners’ Committee/Pensioners’ Parliament – 6 to be elected
Professional Training Committee – 6 to be elected
Standing Orders Committee – 5 to be elected
TUC Delegation – 3 to be elected
Women’s TUC Delegation – 5 to be elected
For further information prior to the next branch meeting please contact the Branch Secretary directly.