Unrest has broken out at ITN after senior staff were not given a pay rise for next year in an offer made by the news organisation’s management.
According to sources, senior newsroom staff, many of whom have just returned from round-the-clock reporting of the Paris attacks, are incensed at being offered an extra day of holiday next year instead of a bump in salary.
John Hardie, the chief executive of the maker of news for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, has sent an email to staff saying that the pay offer is a level that “is affordable to ITN as a business”.
In May, the company reported its fifth consecutive year of operating profit growth, up by 16%, although it is also facing a pension deficit of £100m.
“In setting the 2016 pay award, we have endeavoured to find a level which is affordable to ITN as a business and balances our obligations to meet the pension deficit repayment plan, while recognising the commitment of all staff,” said Hardie, who was paid total remuneration of £762,000 last year, including a £350,000 bonus.
ITN has offered a 1.25% increase for all staff earning up to £60,000, with a minimum increase of £500.
Those earning over £60,000 – which would include most of ITN’s top reporters and camera operators – will not receive a pay increase.
The extra day holiday offered to those staff can be sold under ITN’s flexible benefits scheme, to “convert it to cash if they so choose”. Those needing more annual leave than they have will now need to buy one day less.
“[We] felt it particularly important that our lowest paid staff, on whom the cost of living increases have the greatest impact, receive a pay rise,” said Hardie. “We believe this is a fair award and reflects our position as a steadily improving business, as well as recognising the hard work of all staff.”
