Section Agence France-Presse du Syndicat national des journalistes

SNJ-AFP

Agence France-Presse Branch of the French National Journalists' Union (SNJ)

The Union

The AFP Branch

AFP’s SNJ branch now has around 50 members, who constitute a good sample of the Agency’s network, both geographically, with colleagues coming from the Paris headquarters as well as other French and overseas bureaus, and in terms of experience (reporters/desks, text/photo...).

Also reflecting the diversity of origins of AFP journalists, the branch has a growing English- and Spanish-speaking contingent of members.

In addition to its web site, the AFP branch runs an internal e-mail discussion list, open to all paid-up members if they so wish. The list serves both as a conduit for information and as a debating forum, the latter point being particularly important as the SNJ attaches great importance to internal democracy.

The AFP branch plays an active role in the institutional life of the company, notably via the Works Committee and the statutory monthly meetings of delegates with management, not forgetting the Health, Safety and Working Conditions Commitee. Our branch is also to the fore in seeking unity of action with the other trade unions in the company, notably via the ad-hoc Joint Committee (intersyndicale) meetings.

We are also active in the national life of the union, and of course have a growing number of international links, as befits our status as a worldwide news agency. Several SNJ members from the AFP branch attend the union’s national congresses, the last of which took place in october 2008 in Le Havre (in Normandy). AFP representatives also take part in most of the national and Paris-region meetings of the union.

At the Paris headquarters, the SNJ branch holds meetings, open to all, around once every two months. The SNJ staff delegate also holds a monthly surgery to receive complaints and demands ahead of the regular union-management meetings.

In common with the other unions, the SNJ has regulation notice-boards, notably in the lobby of the building and in the first-floor corridor opposite the Works Committee offices.

Your Union Reps

Joining Up

Whether you want to play an active role in our activities, or simply to express your support, the best thing to do is to become a union member!

This is considerably cheaper, in real terms, than most people think, particularly since the French tax authorities actually reimburse two-thirds of what you pay out in the form of a deduction from taxes owed.

How much you pay out up front depends on how much you earn; in general the dues are around one-tenth of one month’s net salary. For example, if your monthly net income is between 1,295 and 1,450 euros, you’ll pay 138 euros per year. Towards the other end of the scale, if you earn between 2,820 and 3,050 euros a month, membership will set you back 280 euros. Bear in mind, however, that when you pay your taxes you effectively get back two thirds of what you’ve paid out.

Members are also encouraged to subscribe to the SNJ’s publications, notably "Le Journaliste" and "SNJ Infos".

It is possible to pay your dues in several instalments throughout the year; the usual arrangement is to write in advance four cheques, which will be cashed at the end of every quarter.

For more info, please contact us at the e-mail address shown below.