Talks result in improved ITN terms
Talks at ACAS have lead to improved terms for staff facing redundancy resulting from the closure of the ITV News Channel.
BECTU and NUJ officials met ITN management at ACAS yesterday (26 January) in an attempt to resolve the dispute concerning the closure of the ITV 24-hour News channel.
After 11 hours of talks the two sides agreed revised proposals, subject to consultation with union members.
“We believe this is the best financial package we can negotiate for members in the circumstances.”
The proposed settlement of the dispute includes a significantly improved financial package for those people facing redundancy, and extended periods of notice, or pay in lieu of notice, for all technical grades affected.
The unions have also negotiated a minimum redundancy payment to benefit staff with short service.
National Official Nigel Mason commented: "We believe this is the best financial package we can negotiate for members in the circumstances.
However we intend to use the extended notice periods we have negotiated to continue to try to reduce the number of members being made redundant still further".
The number of people threatened with redundancy had originally been 70 but this had reduced to 21 by the time of the ACAS meeting as a result of people either volunteering or being redeployed elsewhere in ITN.
BECTU members at ITN are due to discuss the revised proposals at a Shop meeting on Monday 30 January."