The National Union of Journalists has condemned ITV bosses for stalling on agreeing a staff pay rise, despite awawrding large increases at board level.
The NUJ, along with Bectu and Unite, has put in a pay claim of above inflation plus 3 per cent (so more than 6 per cent) because of a projected 11 percent increase in profits at the company.
Sue Harris, NUJ broadcasting officer said: "This is a claim which takes into account the workforce's contribution to the company's success, particularly as chief executive Adam Crozier's pay and benefits package reached £3.7million in 2011 and chairman Archie Norman's pay rose to £720,000. We were disappointed and frustrated that ITV did not bring anything to the table. The management has had our claim since August and heard the arguments backing the claim. Today, the NUJ was leafleting ITV staff at Southbank and support is growing for the claim as part of our ITV's got Talent campaign."
According to the NUJ, staff working for the broadcaster earning £25,000 a year would have seen their pay drop by 8.4 percent in real terms over the past decade.
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The NUJ said when times were tough, staff agreed to pay freezes and job cuts. Now the union believes staff should benefit from the increase in profitability at the company.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: "We are asking for a fair pay deal which will recognise the contribution of the staff to ITV's profits and ensure they are rewarded alongside the executives and shareholders. The price increases announced by the energy companies are yet another example of how costs of living are increasing; ITV staff deserve a decent deal."
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