ITV could face industrial action in the New Year if efforts to resolve a pay dispute are successful, unions have warned.
The joint ITV unions, Amicus, Bectu and the NUJ submitted a claim for a substantial above-inflation increase in September.
The claim also underlined the opposition of the joint unions to the company’s use of one-off bonuses in the annual review.
“Our view is that all available funds should be directed towards an above-inflation consolidated pay increase for your staff,” the joint unions wrote.
The company responded to the claim at the end of last month with a consolidated offer of just 2.5% – the current rate of inflation. It also announced its intention to pay staff a taxable bonus for 2005 of £600 next April.
ITV published its half-year financial results in September with its profits before tax up by 60% at £205m.
ITV previously improved its offer to staff when hit by strikes in April this year over another low pay offer which disrupted filming schedules and caused the cancellation of live broadcasts.
Amicus official Mike Smallwood said: “Yet again our members are being insulted with an inflation-linked pay offer when they have earned the company record profits.
“The impact their strike made earlier this year demonstrates what a vital job they do and how strongly they feel about being rewarded properly for their work.”
