ITV has tabled an improved pay deal weeks after its chief executive took a tough stance against staff who staged a 24-hour strike that disrupted shows including Loose Women and Coronation Street.
The broadcaster has offered staff a 2.2% salary rise for next year, an increase on the 2% proposal that unions branded “miserly”, and contractual improvements including an increase in leave and redundancy terms for longer serving staff.
“Further talks have taken place with ITV since the highly successful strike action taken by members across ITV on 14 May,” said the National Union of Journalists in a statement to members outlining the improved deal. “We have absolutely no doubt that ITV only came back around the table, this time to have a meaningful dialogue with us, because of the action that members had taken.”
The improved deal includes increasing the redundancy cap from £36,000 to £45,000, and giving an additional two days paid holiday to all staff with over five years’ service to “recognise their commitment”.
The maximum staff bonus has been set at £1,500.
The NUJ told members that this is the best deal that can be achieved through negotiations with ITV “without members having to take further action”.
“Compared to their empty handedness at Acas [arbitration service] ITV made considerable movement,” said the NUJ. “Particularly on issues such as the redundancy cap and additional leave for long service, all claims which had been stalled by management for several consecutive years.”
An ITV spokesman said: “We met again this week with representatives from the joint unions and, whilst the pay offer for this year remains unchanged, the unions have agreed to present a resolution to their members for 2016 and provide a response within the next few weeks.
“This includes a review of the redundancy cap and additional paid leave for staff with more than five years’ service. We have also brought forward the 2016 annual pay review negotiations ahead of the normal autumn timetable.”
At ITV’s annual meeting in May, chief executive Adam Crozier took a tough stance over the pay deal, indicating the company would not improve its offer.
Crozier said only 226 staff out of 462 union members and a total staff of 4,000 voted to go on strike.
