Unions seek urgent Granada talks

ITV Unions are seeking urgent talks with Granada on a proposed wage freeze.

Granada union stewards meeting yesterday to discuss the prospects for a wage freeze across the company are calling for an urgent meeting with Steve Morrison, Granada chief executive.

At that meeting, the joint unions will pursue talks with the company on job security, pension funding, regional programming and future share options for staff.

"The joint unions will take a firm view on their attitude to Granada pay in 2002 when more is know about the position of the company on key industrial issues" said a spokesperson for the Granada stewards.

"There is no question that staff will only accept a share in the pain being experienced in ITV at the moment if they can also expect a share in future gains" she went on.

Stewards are also concerned at reports that the ITV companies are seeking ITC approval to reduce their licence commitments in respect of regional programming.

"Regionally based programme production is the cornerstone of the ITV Network; if that position is undermined then the key purpose of the ITV Network is lost" the spokesperson said.

ITV Unions, representing members in BECTU, the NUJ and the AEEU, have also written to Patricia Hodgson, ITC chief executive, to request urgent talks on this matter.