ITV staff to stage 36-hour strike

Up to 700 ITV production staff are to stage walkouts on 7 and 8 April in a protest over pay.

Unions warned the strike, at centres across the UK, could disrupt popular shows such as Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and Emmerdale.

But ITV has said it is unlikely viewers will notice any difference.

Staff in London, Manchester and Leeds will stage a 36-hour strike on 7 April followed by a two-hour walkout in some other areas the next day.

Members of the Bectu and Amicus broadcasting unions voted to strike after rejecting a 3.3% pay offer.

The action comes after ITV announced £340m pre-tax profits and a £1.9m package for chief executive Charles Allen after steering the broadcaster through its merger.

Bectu assistant general secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "It is unacceptable that ITV executives award themselves huge share bonuses but will not give their workers a decent pay rise."

Staff at London Weekend Television, Yorkshire, Granada and 3sixtymedia will take part in the 36-hour strike.

And Bectu members at ITV Central and Anglia, covering Nottingham, Birmingham and Norwich, will walk out for two hours from 1200 on 8 April.

Source