Meridian signs union agreement

BECTU and the NUJ have won formal recognition from ITV franchisee Meridian.

A formal recognition agreement was signed on August 13, more than 10 years after bargaining rights were withdrawn from union members when TVS lost its licence.

Signing the agreement - from left: Paul McLaughlin (NUJ), Debbie Newton (Director of Personnel), Nicola Phipps (NUJ) Peter Ashwood (Controller of Personnel),Martin Clarke (BECTU), Sharon Elliott (BECTU)

In October 2000 when Meridian was bought out by Granada Media, its staff became the only section of Granada's workforce which did not have union recognition rights.

After the agreement was signed, BECTU's shop steward at Meridian's Southampton base said: "When we became part of Granada Media, it was very apparent that we were being left out of the negotiating process that was active throughout the rest of the group. A twelve-month campaign of recruiting members, organising a petition, and negotiating an agreement has been concluded today. This is the end of the beginning - the real job of representing our members starts tomorrow."

Sharon Elliott, BECTU's ITV Supervisory Officer, said: "The recognition agreement has been the result of patient and constructive negotiations with Granada management and is a tribute to the determination of BECTU and NUJ lay officials, members and staff across the company's sites. Particular thanks are due to Martin Clarke, BECTU chief steward; without him we would not have this agreement".

The union is now looking forward to constructive industrial relations with Granada across all its TV holdings.