NUJ: Industrial action at ITV is inevitable
- Published: 30 September 2008 11:33
- Author: Kate McMahon
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- Last Updated: 30 September 2008 12:15
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The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has declared it will lead the fight against ITV's plans to cut 430 jobs from regional news rooms and strikes are now "inevitable".
Assistant broadcast organiser Laura Davison said it was a "black day" for regional news, and accused the commercial broadcaster and Ofcom of steamrolling viewers and staff.
"This result is truly catastrophic. You can't just cut 40% of staff and £40m from the budget and expect regional news is going to have a hope of operating properly," she said.
"We have to fight these plans. It is important to remember that Ofcom has not made its final ruling yet – but ITV seem determined to press on and cut jobs now. Ofcom has failed to protect regional news, but we will fight for it.
"Any attempts to force through these massive cuts will be met with strong resistance. We are putting ITV on notice. Unless it meaningfully engages with unions over its plans for the future of regional news, industrial action will be inevitable."
Davison said the cuts would affect not just the whole of ITV but the BBC as well.
"This will impact on the BBC, as the need for it to stay in competition with ITV will be severely lessened," she said.
