HTV Wales
Notes of NUJ Chapel Meeting
12 May 2003
1. Pay claim (see below)
The ITV unions are proposing the attached claim for 2003. We are hoping to reach agreement among ourselves by the end of May, seeking talks with the two main employers in July for implementation from October. The Granada news journalists’ pay model, with a banding system and the promise of promotion up the bands is being rolled out in Manchester from this week. It’s similar to the system we had here until Christmas (though with different pay ranges). The claim also involves a minimum wage of £13,500 for all staff (not £13,000 as I said at the meeting) and 28 days paid leave.
2. Equal pay
The NUJ has discovered that three female journalists working for Granada in Manchester were getting paid less money for work of the same value as equally qualified / experienced male colleagues. As a result the union has been able to win them pay rises. Anybody who thinks they may be in the same situation here should get in touch with me to discuss a claim.
3. Flexible working
New laws have recently been introduced which demand that employers give serious consideration to requests for flexible working arrangements. This can involve job sharing/ part time working for childcare etc. Granada are piloting projects in several parts of their company. I’m sure Carlton would be supportive as well (!). Will ask HTV management what can be done here at the next union meeting with them in early June if anybody’s interested.
4. Carlton/Granada merger
You’ve seen the headlines. Last move was Carlton threatening to pull out if the Competition Commission insists the company sell off the sales houses. The NUJ has been lobbying hard to ensure that regional budgets/programme slots and other resources are maintained after any merger. Granada’s plans for a post merger ITV structure seem to be well advanced. Carlton’s are less visible, though I gather the company are collating a list of how many people are doing what jobs and where.
5. Job losses around network
Most regions seem to be enduring some reductions. Many of them are in technical areas, not involving journalists. NUJ members are however increasingly being asked to do their own editing.
The Granada companies are developing a blue-print of how many people it takes to broadcast a main evening news programme for an ITV region. The one being pushed seems to be based on Anglia’s 5-strong crew of:
Director
Vision mixer (one person doing both during the day)
PA
Technical Co-ordinator
Sound engineer.
Obviously, there could be serious implications for output if anybody is ill at the last minute. Granada bosses have said that they will operate a “run at risk” policy, where they are willing to accept that eventuality. The 5-crew model does not however reflect the fact that staff outside the team are involved in doing comms for OBs, taking in tape feeds etc. They also operate two 5-strong teams at a time (they work as a dual region, like us and HTV West) They and other regions have more staff on early and late bulletins than we do, so hopefully, the overall staffing levels are about the same.
NUJ officials have recently met the most senior people at Carlton and been given reassuring messages about our future. Happy to tell you more on an individual basis if interested.
6. Comms Bill
The Bill is now before the House of Lords where the union has been lobbying furiously. Some of the Lords are putting up strong opposition to increase protection against foreign ownership/ ensure Rupert Murdoch is not in a position to buy Channel 5 (cross promoting with Sky etc) and ensuring continued investment in regional broadcasting. The whole bill may fall if agreement is not reached with the government by July.
7. State of union’s strength
We continue to recruit well in Wales. If you know anybody who is not yet a member and should be, get in touch. The greater our membership, the more likely it is that we are listened to by management and politicians who are currently deciding the future of the industry.
The NUJ has just reached an agreement on recognition with LNN and we are currently discussing the chance of a similar agreement for colleagues in Westcountry. Most other regions have a long history of recognising unions. This gives us considerable strength when speaking to the management of Carlton and Granada at the most senior levels.
I’m due to meet HTV senior management with other union reps from Wales and West at the beginning of June. If you have any issues which need to be raised, please get in touch.
Regards
Andy Collinson, Father of Chapel, HTV Wales
02920 590742 (w); 07770 925416 (m); 02920 639639 (h)
andy.collinson@htv-wales.co.uk
andywales@ntlworld.com (home e-mail)
ITV Unions
Joint pay claim
(Provisional)
5% increase from this October
(or £750 for lowest paid if greater)
Minimum salary: £13,500
Roll out Granada news journalists’ pay model to all regions
Includes pay banding/structured increase
Off screen news journalists: £15,000-£22,000
On screen: £23,000 - ??
(would expect parity for non-news reporters)
Discuss single pay structure across ITV
Pensions: Keep Carlton final salary scheme open
28 days annual leave
Profit related pay