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Thank you for your support, say branch co-chairs

A large group of people posing for a picture, with the taller members standing at the back. They are in the corner of a room with large windows either side. It is dark outside
Members and guest speakers at the NUJ Leeds and West Yorkshire branch AGM. Photo: Bob Smith Photography
Branch co-chairs Georgina Morris and Don Mort reflected on another busy year in their report to the AGM.

As we look back on the last year, we’d like to start by thanking everyone who has got involved in branch activities in some way.

Whether you shared a job opportunity or voted in a poll in our WhatsApp group, joined us for a branch meeting or invited a colleague along to one of our socials, you’ve played a part in building our local community of journalists.

Since our last AGM, we’ve held five online branch meetings and welcomed a number of guest speakers to those. They include the environmental journalist Sarah Hartley, Joe Drye from Stand up to Racism and NUJ honorary general treasurer Chris Frost.

We’ve hosted a meal in Bradford, drinks in Calderdale, Wakefield and Leeds, and a summer picnic in Saltaire.

Our support for the union’s two charities – NUJ Extra and the George Viner Memorial Fund – has continued with monthly donations. We’ve also supported the wider trade union movement, including through donations to Durham Miners’ Gala, South Yorkshire Festival and the Hazards health and safety campaign.

Our branch has long been active within our union’s democracy and this past year has been no exception. 

We sent delegates and observers to the NUJ Delegate Meeting in Blackpool last April, meaning our branch had a say in changes to the union’s rules and policies.

A woman with red hair stands at a podium, addressing the audience at a conference.
Branch vice-chair Katie Hall addresses the 2025 Delegate Meeting. Photo: Bob Smith Photography

We nominated a number of branch members to the union’s sector councils and the national executive, giving us a voice at the highest levels of the union.

And when fellow NUJ members at STV were on picket lines in Glasgow and Aberdeen in the freezing cold in January, we sent a message of solidarity and donated to the hardship fund.

We couldn’t do any of this without the members who volunteer on the branch committee, represent us on local trades councils or help to audit the branch accounts. 

We’d like to say a special thank you to Katie Hall and Rob Parsons for all their work on our website and new digital newsletter, to Barry White for representing the NUJ on the TUC’s regional executive and the Creative and Leisure Industries Committee, and to student member Adonis Storr who did an incredible job in organising our well-attended vigil for journalists killed in Gaza.

A group of people at a vigil, with three individuals at the front holding boards displaying black-and-white portraits of journalists. The boards have the NUJ (National Union of Journalists) logo at the bottom.
A vigil to remember journalists killed during the war in Gaza was among the events organised by the branch

Some of our branch volunteers are stepping down this year, so there are opportunities for other members to do their bit for our union and branch. 

Whatever time you can give helps to make a difference and it means nobody is left to shoulder the responsibility alone. 

Another way you can get involved is by writing to your MP about NUJ campaigns. If that’s something you’d be happy to help with, please email nujleedswy@gmail.com and let us know which constituency you live in.

Those who sign up will get occasional emails from regional co-ordinators Adam Christie and Barry White to point them towards template letters and campaign materials.

Thank you again to everyone who’s done something to support our branch and our union this year.

Georgina Morris & Don Mort
Branch co-chairs