This decision is a (great) improvement in network journalism. The information will now be relayed 24 hours a day and seven days a week, something impossible with classic newspapers.

This improvement implies an increased workload for journalists to ensure that the site will answer the readers’ expectations. The Guardian Company will set a more flexible work policy, which will give journalists financial advantages determined according to their work time.

Full-time journalists will work between 35 and 40 hours a week, while those working nine day fortnights must be available for some weekend shifts. Those who choose to change their schedule from nine-day fortnights to five-day weeks will receive a 4.8% pay rise, though they will not be required to work any extra hours.

The Guardian has planned to move about 145 positions from nine-day fortnights to five-day weeks and about 40 roles are to be switched from 5 day-week to nine-day fortnights.

Even though the agreements appear to be anchored now, the chapel will keep an eye on the program’s developments. “However our agreement is no blank cheque for the Guardian to do as it pleases as it moves to 24/7 working,” said NUJ’s general secretary, Jeremy Dear.

According to Guardian managing editor Chris Elliott, who is “very pleased that the chapel has accepted the offer”, the achievement of the negotiation with no job losses or threat of industrial action is a great success.

He added “this agreement now paves the way for a successful move towards integrated print and digital publishing around the clock, and our continuing domestic and international expansion.

Source: Guardian