Westcountry recognition signed

BECTU and the NUJ have signed a recognition deal with Plymouth-based ITV Westcountry.

Westcountry was the only one of the ITV Regions where the unions did not have recognition.

BECTU believes this is a significant achievement and strengthens the ITV unions' position as a whole.

The agreement came about as a result of a grassroots campaign in the region as staff realised that they were unable to contribute to collective negotiations across ITV plc and risked increasing isolation.

The news has however been overshadowed by announcements regarding the future of ITV that will affect Westcountry and many other regions.

ITV propose to merge Westcountry with the neighbouring ITV West region who are based in Bristol.

Aside from obvious fears about potential job losses, there are strong reservations about the wisdom of an ITV regional programme that covers an area from Penzance eastwards to Tewkesbury.

BECTU National Official Nigel Mason said today: "The signing of this recognition deal is very welcome indeed, and strengthens the ITV Unions across ITV plc and I would like to pay tribute to our members in Westcountry who worked so very hard to bring this about.

"Clearly, the recent announcements concerning the future of the ITV Regions illustrates the importance of building a strong union presence across the company".