Disappointment at ITN redundancies
ITN redundancies proposed despite six-year contract
BECTU is 'extremely disappointed' with redundancy proposals following the announcement of a six-year contact with ITV.
ITN said on 2 April it had secured a six-year contract with ITV to provide its news service.
Today it has announced to BECTU and the NUJ that, due to investment in new technology, 64 jobs are to be made redundant.
BECTU's General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "BECTU was pleased to see ITN had secured a long-term deal with ITV.
"However, we are extremely disappointed that within 24 hours this good news was followed by 64 potential redundancies, due to changes in technology."
The company has now entered into a 60-day consultation period with the unions.
BECTU and the NUJ will be holding a meeting with their members on 10 April.
Gerry Morrissey continued: "At this stage, we've had no information in relation to how ITN intends to produce news with 64 less staff.
"We are now in a 60-day consultation period, but we remain completely opposed to any compulsory redundancies.
"Before the end of the consultation period we will be reviewing where we are, and at this stage I cannot rule out industrial action."