ITN staff set to strike
Staff at ITN have voted overwhelming in favour of strike action in response to proposed changes to working conditions.
In ballots which closed on 13 January members of broadcasting unions BECTU and the NUJ voted by majorities of 80 per cent to take strike action in defiance of proposals which will radically alter staff working conditions.
Union members are meeting at lunchtime today (14 January) to discuss what form the action should take. ITN will be issued with notice of industrial action next Monday 17 January 2000.
ITN tabled proposals in November which will cause major disruption to staff lives both at work and at home. The proposed changes to rosters coupled with plans to introduce night working for all, will mean more unsocial hours working which will not only increase the pressures of work but rob staff of time they can call their own and do significant damage to family life.
ITN has argued that a radical overhaul of staff conditions is necessary to meet the company's plans for a 24-hour news channel and to service its new contract to supply GMTV with news from February.
John Fray, NUJ deputy general secretary commented: "High levels of participation in these ballots coupled with the overwhelming votes in favour of action demonstrate the determination of ITN staff to maintain their essential rights to arrange their lives in a way which enables them both to work effectively and to make appropriate provision for their families.
"Without challenge, management's proposals would undermine staff health and safety and create havoc for staff trying to manage work and home lives successfully" he commented.
Sharon Elliott, BECTU supervisory official stated "Through its proposals ITN is trying to get staff to subsidise its expansion. Staff want ITN to succeed. What they cannot accept, however, is that that success should be at the expense of working conditions which already reflect the intense demands of broadcasting or at the expense of family life".
Since the proposals were first tabled on 1 November, several meetings have been held with management including talks under the auspices of ACAS. ITN has failed to address the unions fundamentals claims for adequate protection and compensation for the future. Further talks at ACAS are scheduled for 18 and 19 January 2000.