ITV’s 5-year plan is failing, says BECTU

BECTU has accused ITV of failing to deliver on its 5-year plan after 89 job losses were announced yesterday in Leeds and Manchester.

The job losses are targeted at the company’s key production centres outside London with 39 posts at risk in Leeds and 50 at risk in Manchester. The majority of staff affected supply technical expertise to the company’s production arm which makes high-profile output such as Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

Last September, Michael Grade, ITV’s executive chairman, announced a 5-year plan which promised to increase the levels of in-house production to strengthen programme-making for the future.

“Yesterday’s announcement is a real blow for our members. What is clear is that the company’s turnaround plan is failing. The proposed job losses strike at the heart of ITV’s programme-making capacity and reveal a serious lack of ability at the highest levels of the company.

“The 5-year plan promised acquisitions and greater commissioning power to re-establish ITV’s network presence. Those objectives are not being met so the company reaches for its most cowardly weapon, the P45.” commented David Beevers, BECTU Supervisory Official.

Formal consultations on the redundancy proposals start tomorrow in Leeds and on Friday in Manchester. BECTU will be examining all possible angles to defend its members’ employment. Ballots for industrial action cannot be ruled out.

ITV’s commitment to regional news production is also under scrutiny following its announcement of plans to make severe cutbacks to save £40 million a year. The proposals, which require Ofcom approval, are being considered as part of Ofcom’s Public Service Broadcasting Review. BECTU is part of a joint union campaign to Save ITV News.