ITV outsourcing attacked by BECTU

Plans to transfer over 100 ITV transmission staff to a new employer have been condemned by union officials.

BECTU has accused ITV plc of betraying them following the company's proposal to outsource its transmission operation to French-owned company the Thomson Group.

Consultations with BECTU are due to start tomorrow, Thursday September 21, on a proposal which affects the future employment and prospects of 120 staff, 90 of whom are based in London and 30 in Leeds.

"ITV has benefitted from both flexibility and stability with regards to its transmission operations," says BECTU official Sharon Elliott. "Skilled staff, many with long service, have adapted to the changing needs of the company by developing systems which have facilitated the company's development and the expansion of its services. How are they rewarded? By a proposal which says that ITV does not want to employ them anymore."

The proposed transfer, if confirmed, will be covered by the TUPE Regulations but, unless ITV is prepared to make additional commitments to staff, BECTU says future terms and conditions and pensions will be at risk. "In on-going TUPE consultations affecting the company's security staff, ITV has insisted that it will do nothing to protect staff's future pension rights, and their redundancy rights are also under threat," explained Elliott.

"Not so long ago, in the run up to the creation of the single ITV, senior company managers said they wanted ITV plc to be seen as the employer of choice. That mission statement rings hollow today as the company staggers from one review to the next pummelling its staff in the process and damaging the company's private and public reputation".