ITV Unions defend network

ITV Unions have pledged to defend ITV from job cuts in the light of an advertising revenue slump.

Meeting in London, the new inter-union body ITV Unions agreed to oppose future compulsory redundancies and cuts in programme budgets which staff believe will seriously weaken the ITV Network and damage the ability of the sector to develop in a changed economic climate.

The new union body, which draws representatives from companies across the Network and from the three ITV unions BECTU, the NUJ and the AEEU, insisted that investment in the sector is vital to its good health.

A spokesperson for the group said "Only a broad-mix of programmes and quality output will attract the audiences on which advertisers depend; further rounds of redundancies and cuts in programming spend will only make ITV more vulnerable in the current unsettled climate".

ITV Unions, formed to deliver a stronger voice for the industry and its staff in the light of the forthcoming UK Communications Bill, will work to ensure that the unique characteristics of the Network, centred on regional television production, are protected by forthcoming legislation.

ITV Unions will meet at least four times a year to develop joint union strategy on the key issues of broadcasting legislation and collective bargaining in the sector.

ITV (Independent Television), one of the main national television networks in the UK, is funded by commercial advertising.