Call to mediate in TV job-cut talks
The North's Labour Relations Agency has been urged to intervene after talks between Ulster Television management and union representatives over threatened job losses broke down today.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) had sought a “conciliator” to mediate between the sides in the North.
Journalists have been offered voluntary redundancy, with station managers blaming the challenging economic environment and communications regulator Ofcom’s recent public service broadcasting proposals for a proposed cut in the number of hours of news.
Ulster Television (UTV) was planning to axe around a third of its 118-strong TV division.
A spokesman for the union said: “The threat of wholesale redundancies now looms over the workforce in the run up to Christmas.”
The NUJ and fellow union Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU) criticised the consultation process on the changes with staff.
Ofcom has proposed that UTV’s news output may be cut from about five hours a week to four and that non-news output can be reduced from four hours to 90 minutes.
Changes will see the end of UTV Life and the flagship current affairs programme Insight.
UTV has said its commitment to a sustainable level of high-quality production for Northern Ireland remained as strong as ever.
NUJ Irish secretary Seamus Dooley and BECTU national industrial officer Pat Styles said: “Management sought to introduce an unacceptable assessment process based on a discriminatory selection process.
“The process ignored the basis principles of natural justice and management refused to engage in meaningful dialogue on issues relating to equality, fairness at work and health and safety.”
Mr Dooley added that the Assembly had requested negotiations with trade unions while the Culture, Arts and Leisure committee asked for a postponement of the redundancy plan pending publication of the OFCOM report on public service obligations.
“We call on management to engage with the trade unions representing staff under the auspices of the Labour Relations Agency,” he added.
“If this does not happen workers will have to consider all other options to protect their interests and to prevent unjust, discriminatory measures against selected workers.”
UTV managing director Michael Wilson said the proposed selection process was fair, robust and transparent.
“Unfortunately we have not reached agreement with the unions on this process as they have failed to recognise the economic realities facing UTV or to put forward any alternatives for consideration,” he said.
The deadline for voluntary severance had been extended to December 31 and Mr Wilson added that he remained willing to consider constructive proposals.
“While we are disappointed that our negotiations with the unions have reached an impasse, we must move ahead with our restructuring plans as the dramatic and continuing downturn in TV advertising combined with Ofcom’s proposed reduction in regional hours regrettably means we have to embark on a significant restructure of the Television division,” he added.
Meanwhile, eight jobs are to go at Johnston Press, which owns a string of weekly newspapers in the North. Subbing will be centralised in Craigavon.
Consultation began today with employees. Management said the reorganisation will allow journalists to spend more time gathering news.
A spokesman said: “Every effort will be made to mitigate the effects of this proposal through redeployment and voluntary redundancies.
“The company believes that these proposals will help secure the long-term future of our titles in a challenging market by achieving efficiencies in the editorial workflow and improving standards of design.”
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said it would be a source of worry to staff at the Derry Journal.
“It is important that we have strong local newspapers that can reflect local community life in its coverage.”
