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Of course, it's worth pointing out that the NUJ has been a historically very inept union when it comes to photographers:

  • Years of dithering over photographers who only do a bit of press work and mainly cover other kinds of work. (Missed out on a lot of joiners that way.)

  • A history of selling photogs down the river to protect writers jobs.

  • A large regional bias in favour of London based photogs in the past.

Sorry... old battle memories do tend to make for ranting...
by Metatone (metatone [a|t] gmail (dot) com) on Tue Jan 29th, 2008 at 04:07:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I don't know anything about the history of NUJ but I have had a colleague banging on at me to join if I start getting any commissioned work.  

It did strike me when I read the website that they are fairly powerless to do a great deal for photographers who work freelance and although they give recommendations on rates, they are fairly worthless if a large number of amateurs/enthusiasts sell their work for next to nothing and are ignorant about protecting their rights - just because it is nothing more than a hobby for them.

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Jan 29th, 2008 at 05:13:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Even if they could unionize everyone, there'd be nothing to stop companies from hiring only the non-union enthusiasts. (I'm pro-union, don't get me wrong.)
by lychee on Tue Jan 29th, 2008 at 05:31:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Ah true, but the strength of the unions would mean that those employers would be easier to challenge.  If only, hey?!

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by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Tue Jan 29th, 2008 at 06:03:53 PM EST
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