BBC: Strike threat over ITV news cuts

[Omaha Steve]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6994696.stm

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has threatened to strike if ITV makes proposed cuts to its regional news.

Union representatives working at ITV have held an emergency meeting, criticising the network's plans to cut its regional newsrooms from 17 to nine.


Some of ITV's regional news services will merge

The NUJ said the plans would lead to "many hundreds of job losses" and the union's general secretary Jeremy Dear said its members were "furious".

ITV chairman Michael Grade has said the current set-up is not sustainable.

'Arrogant disregard'

Mr Dear said: "One of our reps at ITV called this a punch in the guts and they are right - that is exactly what it is.

"It shows a breathtaking disregard for the broadcaster's public service commitment and an arrogant disregard for communities that will lose their local news."

Mr Dear said if services were cut and jobs axed, the NUJ would immediately urge a ballot for strike action.

FULL story at link.