Is the British media too cynical about unions?

The Boothyroyd Room, Portcullis House, Victoria Embankment, London.

24th November 6.30pm-8pm

Link to Google map. Print this page to bring with you. Arrive 10 mins before to allow time for security.

Speakers

Chris Bryant MP, Shadow Minister (Political and Constitutional Reform)

Michelle Stanistreet NUJ Deputy General Secretary

Polly Toynbee, Guardian Columnist

Billy Ivory, writer of 'Made in Dagenham'

Sue Ferns, Chair (Chair, Unions 21)

Surveys of the public show that unions in general are still seen as associated with the past e.g. the miners strike. Updating the image of the movement is one of biggest union challenges. It's made more of a challenge because the media, particularly national newspapers, continue to present unions as militant and out-of-date.

Most of the union world’s typical features have not changed in over 100 years even though the
pattern of unionisation beneath this apparently unaltered surface is radically different. There has been a quiet cultural revolution in many unions and the ‘brand’ does not always reflect the new culture.

What changes do journalists and unions need to make so that potential members are offered the kind of image that they want to see?