NUJ ramps up pay campaign as ITV talks open
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bectu and Unite have ramped up efforts to secure a pay settlement of RPI plus three per cent as talks on the ITV 2014 pay deal opened.
Pay: The NUJ is campaigning as talks with ITV open
The unions are demanding the increase in light of ITV’s projected 11 per cent increase in pre-tax profits for 2013 and a 157 per cent increase in profits between 2009 and 2012.
The claim was submitted to ITV at the end of August but Sue Harris, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, voiced frustrations about the company’s approach.
She said: “We were disappointed and frustrated that ITV did not bring anything to the table. The management has had our claim since August and heard the arguments backing the claim.
“This is a claim which takes into account the workforce’s contribution to the company’s success, particularly as chief executive Adam Crozier’s pay and benefits package reached £3.7m in 2011 and chairman Archie Norman’s pay rose to £720,000.”
The three unions are also attempting to have ITV’s salary cap lifted, allowing more staff to be covered by the outcome of negotiations, as well as seeking to have redundancy pay at the company revised from its current cap of £36,000 to either a maximum 12 months’ pay or £36,000, whichever is higher.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “We are asking for a fair pay deal which will recognise the contribution of the staff to ITV’s profits and ensure they are rewarded alongside the executives and shareholders.”
The union leafleted ITV staff on Monday at Southbank as part of its “ITV’s Got Talent” campaign run jointly with Bectu and Unite. According to the NUJ, staff on a wage of £25,000 have seen their pay drop in real terms by 8.4 per cent in the last decade.
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