UK Network ITV Employees to Strike May 14 Over Pay Dispute

Production workers and other staff at the commercial UK network ITV will participate in strike on May 14 if the channel does not increase its pay offer.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Production workers and other staff at the commercial UK network ITV are ready to strike on May 14 if the channel does not increase its pay offer, the head of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) warned.

In January, employees rejected ITV’s “insulting” offer of a 2-percent pay increase for those earning £60,000 ($91,483) or less, and have been arguing since then for a bigger rise in view the broadcaster’s profits.

“Our members have made their message clear. Unless ITV can come back with a better offer, they will be taking strike action next week,” Michelle Stanistreet stated, as cited by the Guardian newspaper on Wednesday.

Over 77 percent of NUJ members voted in favor of the strike, which could affect live ITV programs, including news bulletins and the popular Good Morning Britain, according to the union.

Members of Bectu broadcasting union and Unite trade union also supported the action, according to media reports.

The 24-hour strike was originally scheduled for May 7, the day the UK general election is being held but it was later moved to May 14, so as to coincide with ITV’s annual general meeting.

ITV has said that only 232 union members out of a 3,000-strong UK workforce supported the strike, adding that the channel had contingency plans in place to ensure that all its programs broadcast as normal.