The election results for the NUJ NEC to run from 2012/13 are out and so am I. I came fifth (out of seven – the eighth candidate withdrew after ballot papers had been printed it seems) and as there are only four London seats I will finish my term of office shortly.
However, the outgoing NEC continues to operate and we will be attending the coming round of committees during the next couple of weeks. I will attending my last meeting a vice chair of the Policy committee on Thursday 17 November. The first meeting of the new NEC is being held on 6/7 January 2012. So congratulations to the winners.
Thanks to all who voted for me (and to all who voted at all) and for the messages of support and thanks I’ve received from colleagues after the results were published. It’s been an honour to serve and I’ve learnt a lot during my two terms on the Council. There were high times and low times, but I will continue to represent the union as its delegate to the European Federation of Journalists steering committee. Its next meeting is on 13 and 14 December in Brussels.
I’ll have to rename my blog, and I’m sure I’ll think of something appropriate. The first branch magazine I edited as a Nalgo (now Unison) lay publicity officer in the late 1970’s was called The Spark. Maybe I return to that tradition.