YTV Strike Hits Heartbeat and Emmerdale

YTV Strike Hits Heartbeat and Emmerdale

LONDON, April 6/PRNewswire/ -- A strike by broadcasting unions Amicus and BECTU at Yorkshire
Television's main production centres is forcing bosses to cancel filming for
Heartbeat and Emmerdale, both filmed in Leeds.

The 36-hour strike over a low pay offer which is due to start at 7 am on
Friday has caused Heartbeat to cancel a day's filming on the same day and
Emmerdale will be reduced to filming in just one location as opposed to
simultaneous filming in the two Leeds sites as usual.

The action to be taken by Amicus and BECTU members also involves strikes
at London Weekend Television, 3sixtymedia and Granada. Action will start at 7
am on Friday 8th April through to 7 pm on Saturday 9th April, also disrupting
ITV productions in London and Manchester, causing delays and cancellations in
the filming schedules of Coronation Street, Parkinson and Heaven and Earth.
More than 700 production, technical and support staff will be involved
nationwide.

The strike follows member's rejection of a 3.3% pay offer in a ballot
that closed last week. Members are angry that once again their pay rise
barely touches inflation after a year of record job cuts and a strong
financial performance. During the last five years ITV pay has fallen short of
average earnings by 10% and has also fallen below inflation.

Mike Smallwood, Amicus' National Officer for the broadcast industry,
said: "Our members have effectively suffered year on year pay cuts while ITV
executives and shareholders have been generously rewarded. We want a higher
than inflation pay rise for our members that will begin to improve their
living standards and recognises our members' contribution to what is a very
successful company. The fact that ITV companies are now having to pay our
members overtime rates to ensure programming is ironic."

Sharon Elliott, BECTU Supervisory Official for Independent Broadcasting,
said: "The support we are receiving from members, non-members and the
freelancers ahead of the action is overwhelming. Our cause is just and we
look to management to engage with us positively to resolve this dispute."

The unions have condemned excessive levels of boardroom pay at ITV plc
where Chief Executive Charles Allen, has received a bumper remuneration
package of GBP8.7m. ITV's Finance Director is also reported to be paid GBP1m
a year.

Union picket lines will be in place from 7 am on Friday 8th April on the
Emmerdale set at Burnden Head Farm, Eccup Lane, Eccup LS16 8AP and at
Yorkshire TV's headquarters on Kirkstall Road, Leeds.

Source: Amicus

Catherine Bithell in the Amicus press office on +44-207-420-8909 or +44-7958-473-224 or Sharon Elliott at BECTU on +44-207-346-0900

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