STV strike to knock flagship news show off the air

JOURNALISTS at STV are to go on strike today, with the channel’s flagship news show among the programmes that will now not be aired.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said its members at STV in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness will walk out for 24 hours this morning, with another strike planned on April 16.

The NUJ is seeking a 6 per cent pay rise and claimed its members’ salaries are less than equivalent roles at the BBC or ITV.

The union said many reporters also earn less than a teacher’s starting salary of £38,655, while around 80 per cent of the newsroom earn less than a teacher with five years’ experience.

The NUJ said STV has offered a 6 per cent increase only to the

‘Unrealistic and unaffordable’

bottom 3 per cent of earners. The broadcaster said a ‘fair’ offer that would give all staff a bonus was rejected by the union.

NUJ organiser Nick McGowanLowe said: ‘Journalists at STV have not just been reporting on the cost of living crisis – they’ve been experiencing it too.

‘Our members produce the awardwinning journalism that is the flagship of the STV brand and are only asking for their pay to keep track with inflation.

‘Simon Pitts, STV chief executive, was paid over £900,000 last year. A small fraction of that would settle this dispute.’

STV said: ‘An above inflation pay increase of 6 per cent is unrealistic and unaffordable.’

STV News at Six will not be broadcast today, with Sean’s Scotland replacing it, while Scotland Tonight has also been knocked off the airwaves. It will be replaced by ITV’s Tonight.