Billy Bragg sings at third day of Guardian & Observer strike as MPs table early day motion
Politicians express “serious concerns” about Observer sale
Billy Bragg singing to crowds on the picket line
© Mark Thomas
Billy Bragg was among those supporting the third day of strikes outside the Guardian's HQ in opposition to the rushed sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media.
He sang protest song Which Side Are You On? to the crowds who attended the festive picket line at Kings Place in King's Cross, London.
Laura Davison, Gerry Curran and Andy Smith join other NUJ colleagues at the strike
© Mark Thomas
Journalists and NUJ leaders - including general secretary-elect Laura Davison, assistant general secretary Seamus Dooley, vice president Gerry Curran and senior organiser Andy Smith - braved the cold to begin picketing early.
They kicked off the second 48 hour strike within two weeks with many journalists announcing on social media that they are not working today or tomorrow, Friday 13 December. The effect on the Guardian's website was apparent with stories beginning to appear under Guardian staff bylines or news agency credits.
© Mark Thomas
© Mark Thomas
© Mark Thomas
Messages of solidarity also began pouring in on social media and from NUJ branches and chapels, some of which are posted below.
Davison said: "Today has been another really solid day of action by our members with more high profile, creative visits to the picket line. Action continues tomorrow so please show your support and solidarity."
Also on day three it emerged that politicians have tabled an EDM about the sale of the Observer, under the motion: “This House expresses serious concerns about the speed of the process and the substantive issues at stake in relation to the proposed sale of the Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media; considers that The Observer, first published in 1791, is a historical national institution known as a source of quality journalism which must be protected for future generations; believes that the deal appears to be being rushed through, without due consideration of alternatives; regrets that the Guardian Media Group and the Scott Trust have not engaged in meaningful consultation with journalistic and editorial staff.”
It went on to say it “condemns the decision to announce in principle support for the sale during the first industrial action taken by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian/Observer for over fifty years called in response to concerns at the deal; believes that the disappearance of Observer content behind an online paywall would be detrimental to the public interest by restricting access to accurate news and a plurality of opinions; and therefore calls on Government to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice, to allow for further regulatory consideration of the sale’s likely impact.”
The EDM, the signatories of which include John McDonnell MP and Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, can be found here
Picketing will begin again on Friday 13 December outside the Guardian’s HQ, Kings Place, 90 York Way, King's Cross, London from 8am until around 5pm. All are welcome.
The National Union of Journalists and its members at the Guardian and Observer believe the plans agreed in principle by The Scott Trust are disastrous for the Observer, will damage the reputation of the Guardian and will seriously impact the working conditions for staff on both titles.
The strike action is backed by 93% of the journalists united in their concerns about how the sale has been handled by The Scott Trust and has the full support of the NUJ.
If you can’t support the strike in person you can follow and support it on social media via https://x.com/NUJofficial and Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nujofficial.bsky.social and with the Guardian and Observer NUJ chapel via the following platforms:-Bluesky @gonuj.org X @GoNUJ9 Instagram @gonuj93 TikTok @gonuj93
If you’d like to voice your opinion to the Guardian contact the readers editor at [email protected]
For more information on the action please visit the NUJ campaign page: https://www.nuj.org.uk/resource/not-for-sale-save-the-observer.html
Messages of solidarity from NUJ colleagues
The Guardian and Observer journalists' campaign against the sale of the Observer is continuing. The FT Chapel is sending its support and solidarity and urges all fellow journalists to do the same. There is a power in the union✊
NUJ members at Reach plc fully support our colleagues at the Guardian & Observer in standing up for journalists to have a say in the future of the oldest Sunday national title in the UK. The voice of journalists has been marginalised during a closed-door sale process. Strike action is always the last resort and the fact that this is the second planned 48-hour walk out taking place only serves to reinforce the strength of feeling involved. The Reach NUJ Group Chapel sends its support and solidarity with hopes that the key decision makers rethink their plans in favour of a workable and fair outcome.
We at openDemocracy wanted to get in touch to say solidarity and wish you the best of luck in your strike over the next few days. We’re all very supportive of your cause and hope you win your fight – so sorry it’s had to come to this but keep up the good work. Best wishes, the openDemocracy Chapel
Congratulations on your magnificent stand - your fight is our fight, for journalists and journalism. Strikers have certainly taught us (gettit!?) how to do it! And we agreed a £100 donation. Solidarity, Phil Turner, on behalf of South Yorkshire NUJ Branch.