ITV contracts out security

ITV management have decided to contract out its security operation to Reliance.

This is despite more than 1,000 ITV staff signing a petition against the privatisation in January.

The change to security licensing was one explanation used by ITV for its decision to launch an entire review of its security operation.

It has since become clear that security licensing does not apply to in-house security teams.

However, last month ITV confirmed its board had accepted a recommendation that its security operation be contracted out to Reliance with effect from 1 April or 1 July, depending on each particular site.

This has been a severe blow to ITV's in-house team, many of whom have given long service.

Some 63 members of permanent staff have been affected by the proposal. A further 60 contract security staff also work for ITV; some have already been transferred to Reliance.

Management has so far insisted on local consultations despite BECTU's repeated requests for national level talks.

BECTU will be seeking to build guarantees into the transfer arrangements and will be seeking a meeting with Reliance.

The security changes impact on ITV sites in Norwich (Anglia), London (LWT), Leeds (Yorkshire) Manchester (Granada), Cardiff (ITV Wales) and Bristol (ITV West).