NUJ to Hold Election for Top Job Vacancy

Michelle Stanistreet (pictured), who has been general secretary of the UK’s biggest journalists’ union since 2011, has announced she is stepping down from the role after dealing with “challenging health issues” in recent years. However, she will remain as head of the NUJ until an election process to find her successor is completed.

During her time at the top, Michelle has presided over a turbulent period in the industry’s history, overseeing numerous strikes as publishers have sought to grapple with the shift online, cuts to BBC funding and tech platform disruption through job cuts.

The first woman ever to lead the NUJ, Michelle said in a message to the membership: “The days when the role of union general secretary was a run-up to retirement are behind us, and with my election the NUJ’s history of only electing men to the top jobs also came to an end.

“My response at the time was that I may have been the first woman elected but I certainly wouldn’t be the last.”

She said she had been “dealing with some challenging health issues in the last few years” which had “helped crystalise [her] decision to hand over the NUJ general secretarial baton”. She added: “Every organisation needs creative change, and I think everyone in a leadership position knows when the time comes to move on. Throw in a landmark birthday, and for me the right time is now.”

Before succeeding to the top NUJ job, former Express journalist Michelle previously served as the union’s deputy general secretary from 2008-2011. During her spell in office, she has led campaigns on low pay, journalists’ safety, protecting sources, defending public service broadcasting and SLAPPs.

Michelle ended her e-mail to members saying: “A bad day at the office is invariably lifted by time spent with our members and the knowledge that the NUJ makes a difference, often at some of the worst moments in a member’s professional or personal life. Whoever I pass the baton on to will be fortunate in leading a union that will always have a special place in my heart.”

For more than a century, the NUJ has fought for journalists and journalism and today it is one of the largest independent journalists’ unions in the world. With membership including both media students and people who have retired, the union provides specialist training for those beginning their careers and campaigns for improved pensions for those finishing.

Women currently make up 40 per cent of NUJ membership, with seven per cent defining themselves as Black, mixed race or another minority ethnic group. Nearly two per cent self-define as disabled. Membership in 2022 stood at almost 25,000.

Between them, the union’s Black Members’ Council. of which Birmingham Press Club member Tony Adams is chairman, the Disabled Members’ Council and Equality Council tackle issues of prejudice and under-representation of minority groups.