I've reviewed dozens of books over the last decade for the Observer, which moves next week to new ownership. I'm grateful to books editor Ursula Kenny and the New Review. Here are some of the ones I've enjoyed, starting with Putin's People by Catherine Belton www.theguardian.com/books/2020/a...

Hi Steve, we'll have an update shortly, which we'll post here. Thanks for your interest

Happy Christmas to you, too!

PS: Happiest of birthdays to Billy Bragg, who came to our strike, sang timeless songs, and raised our hearts

www.instagram.com/reel/DDgv9dA...

@billybragg.bsky.social

In the meantime, and despite the trying circumstances in which we find ourselves, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

(8/8)

GONUJ has informed the company of our intention to take part in disruptive industrial action short of a strike in the New Year. If there are no improvements to mitigations or progress on governance reforms, GONUJ will vote to set substantive new strike dates for later in January.

(7/8)

GONUJ are seeking fundamental reforms to governance and strong protections for Observer and Guardian colleagues. While the company has offered some mitigations, they don’t go in any way far enough to protect the terms and conditions of all Observer and Guardian staff affected. 

(6/8)

We were shocked that the Scott Trust chose to approve the deal while our members were on strike. Making the announcement a week before Christmas is further evidence of the contempt with which the Scott Trust and the company hold the pledge maintained for many decades of “living our values”.

(5/8)

We also believe it represents a serious blow to the Guardian, ceding the UK news agenda to the right wing media at a time when liberal voices are needed more than ever. Historic industrial action, backed by a 93% mandate, laid bare the strength of feeling against this deal.

(4/8)

GONUJ are appalled at the decision to approve the sale of the Observer, in a deal we think will be disastrous for the future of the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper and for liberal journalism.

(3/8)

pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...

Guardian and Observer staff striking to stop the sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media lost up to four days’ pay in order to do so. The link to donate to the NUJ’s Guardian and Observer staff hardship fund is here: www.nuj.org.uk/resource/gua...

(2/8)

The journalists really REALLY gave a fuck and have been fighting for three months to stop this… completely ignored by bosses. 😔

pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/n...

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...

www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...