#SpringerNatureStrike

  • 20 Jun 2024

NUJ members at Springer Nature are on day one of a set of day-long strikes today at the academic publisher in a dispute over pay.

The journalists have turned down a 5.8 per cent offer because they say their pay packets have not kept pace with the cost of living. Members have reported how they are struggling to pay bills and cope with rapid rises in rent, mortgage and childcare payments, are putting off having dentistry and finding themself unable to live in London where the publisher’s offices are based. The staff have also voted to carry out a work to rule.

A lively picket line outside Springer Nature’s offices in King’s Cross London was visited by union leaders and journalists from across the globe, attending the International Federation of Journalists AGM. NUJ cookies were shared and as passing buses and cars honked their support, the pickets danced to a special strike playlist (which can be heard on Spotify) including Dolly Parton, Gil Scott-Heron, Destiny’s Child and the Strawbs. Other visitors to the picket line inlcuded Lord Hendy QC and his dog Bob.

 

IFJ reps Springer Nature strike

IFJ representatives at Springer Nature strike picket

IFJ springer nature

IFJ representatives at the Springer Nature picket

Large white and green fair pay for journalists banner is held by men and women, placards with fair pay now in white on green background visible.

International Federation of Journalists' representatives at the Springer Nature picket.

Woman with dark hair and blue and silver hi-vis jacket is pictured with green sticker on cheek in front of a person holding fair pay now placard

Springer Nature picket

Journalist with brown short hair wearing red and black patterned dress writes on board ' I have a maths degree and this pay offer doesn't add up'

Springer Nature picket

Nature picket

Springer Nature picket

Green and white fair pay now for journalists banner with NUJ logo held by men and women on picket line. Fair pay now placards with white text on green

Lord Hendy visits the Springer Nature picket in solidarity

Springer Nature picket 3

Springer Nature picket

Lord Hendy KC smiles for photo beside Seamus Dooley and Michelle Stanistreet, white and green fair pay now placard held.

Lord Hendy joins Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary and Séamus Dooley assistant general secretary, at today's picket.

White banner with green text fair pay for journalists is held with placards visible in background

Springer Nature picket

© Mark Thomas

Support the strikers

Post a message of solidarity on Instagram or X/Twitter using #SpringerNatureStrike – tag @nujofficial and we’ll repost. Email [email protected] with a message of solidarity.  Find out more about the strike and visit the picket line from 8.30am-2pm on Thursday 20 June at Springer Nature campus at Crinian Street/Wharfdale Road, King's Cross, London.

The union has offered further talks with management to resolve the dispute. The NUJ chapel says the company can easily afford a decent rise – Springer Nature made a 27 per cent profit last year and is able to advertise for two vice-presidents with financial packages of $250,000 each. At the same time, the company has set an Article Processing Charge for Nature, and their other research journals, of €10,290 (£8,890) for authors to publish Gold Open Access — among the highest of any scientific publisher, and an 8 per cent increase over the 2023 rate.

Messages of support

To all the members at Springer Nature taking action to stand up for a fair deal: we at the NUJ’s Book Branch send our solidarity, and please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help or support - [email protected].

The Oxford branch congratulates the Springer Nature NUJ chapel for a stonking 93 per cent vote in favour of taking strike action to back up their rejection of the company’s 5.8 per cent pay offer, which they point out equates to a real cut in their pay, after inflation is taken into account. Their determination that the company pay them fairly for their expertise, professionalism and sheer hard work will be lauded throughout Oxford’s large academic publishing community, which has itself suffered real terms pay cuts for too many years.

NUJ London magazine branch sends solidarity to striking staff at Nature magazine. We fully support your claim for a fair pay rise during a cost-of-living crisis and after Springer recorded nearly 30 per cent profit last year. London Magazine branch will highlight your struggle and provide all the practical help we can.

The NUJ’s Magazines and Books Industrial Council supports our colleagues in Springer Nature and their bravery in taking strike action and action short of a strike. With a 2022 operating profit of £410 million on its revenue of £1.6 billion, Springer Nature can afford to make a fair pay offer to its hardworking, dedicated and talented staff.  The Nature journals have been successful over the years because of the editors’ dedication to their craft.   We urge the Springer Nature management  to listen to staff and engage in the discussions with the union it keeps saying it’s willing to have and agree a fair pay increase.

The NUJ’s Equality Council supports the efforts of Springer Nature members in taking action to secure a better pay deal. You deserve it – and you should get it. Solidarity!

Solidarity and good wishes to the Springer Nature members for a successful conclusion to their dispute, Manchester NUJ team (Chris Morley, Jane Kennedy and Sam Jones)

Low pay is endemic in journalism and big media companies need to look harder at valuing the work of journalists who are at the heart of creating the wealth that their businesses depend on. Good luck and solidarity to the Springer Nature chapel from NUJ colleagues at Newsquest. Newsquest NUJ Group Chapel

We believe the Springer Nature management should be getting round the table to negotiate a sensible resolution to this dispute with the union rather than forcing employees to stand up for themselves by taking strike action. We support our colleagues taking strike action today. Reach Group Chapel

Sending support and solidarity to all NUJ members taking action at Spinger Nature from the Trades Union Congress London, East and South East region. All workers deserve fair pay and increases that help deal with the current cost of living crisis and as you’ve shown your employer has no excuse not to make a reasonable offer, given their profits last year. If the dispute isn’t swifty settled we look forward to coming down in person to show support.

The NUJ Ethics council sends a message of solidarity to journalists at Springer Nature, on their historic strike action in defence of fair pay. With astronomical operating profits of over £400m, we urge the company to rethink its position and put forward a proposal that resolves this dispute and avoids further dates of action, with journalists able to return to the jobs they love.

The NUJ Glasgow branch salutes striking journalists at Springer Nature, calls on management to award a fair pay rise respecting the rising cost of living, and applauds the chapel for its organising efforts over the past few years.

Donate to the NUJ hardship fund

When NUJ members are on strike, all members of the union are encouraged to donate to the hardship fund to support colleagues. Encourage your branch to contribute and help show your support for journalists striking in defence of pay.

or use the bank details below.

Reference: Springer Nature

GBP Donations

Unity Trust Bank PLC

Sort code: 60-83-01

Account number: 33045320

EURO Donations

Allied Irish Banks

IBAN number: IE91AIBK93105567345017

SWIFT/BIC: AIBKIE2

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