Scare tactics in Carlton ballot
Carlton TV has been accused of intimidation as Midlands union members vote on action.
Managing Director Ian Squires has threatened to move production away from Birmingham, Nottingham, and Abingdon, if members vote for industrial action over a pay claim.
Ballot papers were sent to BECTU and NUJ members this week (March 14) after talks on a 2.5% pay offer collapsed at ACAS. As the ballot started, staff at the three Carlton sites in the Midlands received a letter from Squires in which he warned that the company would respond to industrial action by moving programmes to "other locations"
Ominously, he went on to say that: "Any programmes we do move will be unlikely to return."
Union negotiators have condemned the threat as a crude attempt to influence the outcome of the industrial action ballot, and in a rebuttal letter sent to members, said that they were "well used to this tactic, and have seen it regularly employed by managers whenever they are faced with strong and determined opposition to their cost-cutting plans".
According to BECTU, the move demonstrated that Carlton's commitment to the Midlands region was "skin deep", and the union warned that any retreat from regional programme production would be resisted industrially and politically.
The company had claimed that the 2.5% pay offer was reasonable because staff received an exceptional bonus at the end of 2000 equivalent to almost 17% of their basic salary. However, the unions emphasised that one-off bonuses should not be a replacement for proper pay rates, and pointed out that terms and conditions at for Midlands staff had worsened since Central TV was taken over by London-based Carlton.
Members taking part in the ballot have been encouraged to ignore the "bullying tactics" of Carlton management by voting strongly in favour of industrial action over pay.
The ballot closes on March 28
Letter sent by BECTU to Carlton Midlands members
15 March 2001
Dear Colleague
Pay and Conditions Dispute 2000/2001
By the time you read this, you will have received a ballot form with covering letters, as well as a letter from Ian Squires Managing Director - Midlands Region. Although the Union was keen not to overload you with even more paperwork, we felt strongly after reading Ian Squires letter that there were several issues that needed a response.
Firstly, I would like to correct two inaccuracies. In the opening paragraph, Ian Squires incorrectly suggests that this is a two Union ballot - BECTU and the NUJ. This is a Joint Shops dispute and the AEEU will also be balloting their members. He goes on to state that a meeting took place at ACAS on the 23 March 2001. For the record, that should read 23 February 2001.
For the most part Ian Squires letter is factually correct. However, what it fails to highlight is the extent to which the Joint Shops have endeavoured to reach a negotiated settlement. The negotiating committee went as far as to suspend our original ballot as a demonstration of our good faith, following the company's agreement to meet at ACAS three months after we originally requested such a meeting.
The company, on the other hand, have consistently failed to move on the issue of pay throughout eight months of hard negotiations, and despite the Unions making positive proposals for a two or three year pay deal aimed at resolving the deadlock. Carlton have been given opportunity after opportunity to reach agreement, but have quite clearly approached this year's negotiations with a total lack of regard for those on low pay, for whom they believe a below cost of living rise is adequate.
The bonus scheme to which the company constantly allude is not and never should be a replacement for guaranteed decent minimum pay rates for staff, who have seen their terms and conditions worsen since the Carlton takeover.
As you know, our representatives have reported back to the shops at every stage of these negotiations, and, after exhausting every procedure, were unanimously mandated to ballot for industrial action in support of our pay claim. That it has come to this is in our view solely the responsibility of a company that fails consistently to listen to the concerns and needs of its staff.
With regard to the threat of removing productions from the region, BECTU believes that this demonstrates just how skin-deep Carlton's commitment to the Midlands really is. The Union has always taken the assurances of an ongoing regional presence with a generous pinch of salt. Clearly, this company has no sentimental attachment to the Midlands and would not be here were it not for the comparatively lucrative Midlands advertising revenue and the terms of their franchise. Any attempt to reduce the amount of regionally produced programming or to make further cuts in staffing would be strongly resisted by BECTU, and the ensuing campaign would, we believe, enlist the support of many local politicians and organisations.
The Union are deeply concerned that the Company are once again playing the 'redundancy' card. It comes as no surprise to us for Carlton to show their true colours, and to adopt this intimidating and threatening stance. Your negotiating team are well used to this tactic, and have seen it regularly employed by managers whenever they are faced with strong and determined opposition to their cost-cutting plans. What concerns us most is that it is designed to cause maximum distress to members, a clear sign of the Company's apparent disregard for staff welfare.
The best way for members to counter these bullying tactics is to make it clear to the company that threats will not work. The way to send that message to Carlton is to vote yes in the ballot for industrial action.
The negotiating committee appreciate the strong support they have so far received from members at all sites. That support, translated into a yes vote in the ballot will be vital if we are to make progress in this dispute.
Please don't hesitate to contact me, or your local representative if you have any queries or concerns regarding any aspect of this dispute.
Yours sincerely
Trish Lavelle
National Official