All About Membership

How do I join?

 Download the appropriate form (below) and complete it. Be sure to fill in all parts of the form that apply to you. If you are freelance we understand that earnings are variable - if exact figures are not possible please provide an estimate.
 Decide how you will pay. We strongly encourage payment by direct debit in sterling from a UK bank account (for full memberships only). If this is not possible, a French cheque in Euros or a sterling cheque are both fine (payable to ’NUJ’). You may also pay by credit card by calling membership at head office on 00 44 207 843 3705 with your card details.
 Return form, photocopied cuttings and check if appropriate to Paris branch Applications Secretary:

Angus Sibley, 20 rue Chalgrin, 75116, Paris

You can also send it to the union’s London head office (address on application form), who log the cheque before sending the form on to the branch.
 Your application will normally be considered at the meeting following our receipt of your form. Meetings takes place on the final Tuesday of each month. See Where Do You Meet? for more details of meetings. You are encouraged to attend the meeting. Contact Us for more information.
 Once accepted by the branch the application is processed by head office who will send you a press card application form.
 Don’t allow your subs to lapse. If you are not fully-paid up you will not be entitled to any of the benefits of membership including legal assistance on journalistic, industrial and trade union problems, emergency legal help outside office hours, grants to members in financial distress or to unemployed members travelling to interviews, advice on copyright, unemployment benefit, dispute pay, victimisation pay, cheap and effective training in a range of journalistic skills, advice on pensions, help from the NUJ Provident Fund and Members in Need Fund, The Journalist magazine and negotiated commercial benefits.

Which membership form should I download?

Full membership

 This for all staff and established freelance journalists earning at least 50% of their income from journalism.
 You should provide evidence of recent work, cuttings would be ideal or copies of contracts or letters of commission. It is unlikely that your application will be considered if you do not provide some evidence of your work.
 You may pay by cheque, credit card or UK direct debit as explained above.
 Download and read the current guidance notes before completing the form

Temporary membership

 This is for intended for individuals seeking to establish, or re-establish, themselves as freelance journalists. (Full details are on the temporary membership application form).
 Again, you should provide evidence of recent work, cuttings would be ideal or copies of contracts or letters of commission. It is unlikely that your application will be considered if you do not provide some evidence of your work.
 Payment by direct debit is not available to temporary applicants. The full fee should be paid in advance.

I’m on low income but I earn 50% of it from journalism. What do I do?

In most circumstances you should apply for Full membership. A reduced contributions scheme exists for the many journalists who are poorly paid for their talents (!) so you won’t have to pay the fulls subs. Full membership allows you to particpate fully in the union’s activities. Temporary membership does not.

See All About Subscriptions for more information and to download the Reduced Subscriptions Application Form.

What if I have previously been in the NUJ?

Welcome back. If you have previously been a full member of the NUJ and you will be applying for re-admission as a full member, you must, under Rule, pay your subscription by direct debit. If your previous membership lapsed, then you may be required to pay a re-admission fee. This must be paid in advance by cheque when you return the application form and direct debit mandate. The best way to avoid this is to not fall behind in your subs. The best way to avoid this is to pay by direct debit.

What about my press card?

You do not need to send a photograph at this stage. Press card application forms are sent out once membership’s been accepted and subs paid and are to be returned directly to NUJ head office. Further information on press cards - UK, international and French - is in the members only section.

 Download FULL membership application (PDF from main union website)
 Download TEMPORARY membership application (PDF from main union website)