Friday, June 17, 2011

Star and NUJ sign new CA



PETALING JAYA: Star Publications (M) Bhd and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ)-The Star branch have signed the 11th Collective Agreement (CA), touted to be one of the best in recent years.

The three-year CA, effective Feb 1 last year, will see a 13% salary increase in basic salary across the board, an increase in book allowance to RM400 a year and a RM430 monthly allowance for sub-editors.

Maternity leave for first-time mothers is now 75 days.

Present at the signing ceremony were Star group managing director and chief executive officer Datin Linda Ngiam, executive director and chief operating officer Ho Kay Tat, NUJ president Chin Sung Chew, NUJ general-secretary V. Anbalagan, Star NUJ chairman Teh Eng Hock and Star NUJ secretary Lisa Goh.

In her speech, Ngiam lauded the NUJ team for “bringing a lot of maturity to the table” during the negotiation process despite still being in their 20s.

“There was sincerity on both sides. It was not about fighting to see who wins and who loses. After all, we are all one family,” she said, adding she was glad the CA was finally signed before her retirement.

Ngiam advised those in the industry to keep abreast with changing technology to remain relevant.

“Changes are here to stay. All employees must be in the forefront of these changes,” she added.

Teh said they started negotiations in November.

Overtime claims increased by RM15, half-day subsistence allowance increased from RM25 to RM33 and full-day subsistence allowance increased from RM50 to RM65, he said.

“For assignments that take more than 10 hours including travel time, unionised journalists can claim full-day subsistence even if we do not stay overnight,” said Teh, adding that transport allowance had also increased by RM15.

Teh said mileage claim had been increased from 50 sen a kilometre to 55 sen a kilometre adding public transport allowance had also been increased to RM520 a month

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/6/16/nation/8907345&sec=nation

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