Stike ballot at STV to go ahead

Staff at STV have reaffirmed their intention to ballot for industrial action after rejecting a request from bosses at the broadcaster to delay the process for two weeks.

The Glasgow-based media firm confirmed earlier this month it would close its lossmaking STV2 channel while also undertaking a restructure of its news division, with a total of 59 jobs at risk. National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members at STV are fighting against any compulsory redundancies, as well as requesting better terms for anyone considering voluntary redundancy (VR).

NUJ members yesterday rejected a request from management that a ballot on industrial action be delayed for two weeks in return for an extension to a deadline for VR applications.

NUJ Scotland Organiser John Toner said: “Our members are absolutely united on this matter and will not rescind the ballot.

“We are almost two weeks into this process and most of our members are still waiting to find out whether they have jobs.”

STV chief executive Simon Pitts will give evidence to Holyrood’s culture committee next week on the planned changes.