SIPTU Responds To RTÉ Restructuring Plans

SIPTU has vowed to oppose any attempts to enforce compulsory redundancies following news of a restructuring plan to reduce costs within RTÉ.

Around 200 jobs are understood to be under threat as the broadcaster closes its Lyric FM station in Limerick and implements changes to reduce overhead costs.

SIPTU and its affiliate unions, Equity Ireland and the Musicians Union of Ireland, represent approximately 1,200 RTÉ staff members.

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: "The plan envisages that these job cuts will be achieved on a voluntary basis. However, there have already been several rounds of voluntary redundancies at the station, the last one of which was not fully subscribed. It is unclear to our members how 200 voluntary redundancies can be achieved.

"These workers have been through several rounds of rationalisation at the station. They have taken the pain to assist in ensuring the survival of the crucial services which are provided by RTÉ and the thanks they have received is to be faced with an ultimatum concerning job cuts."

She added: "What has made this situation even worse is the way this plan was exposed. Only senior management at RTÉ had access to this plan yet it was leaked to the media. This was extremely disrespectful to the loyal staff at the station.

"How and why this leak occurred is a matter that RTÉ Director General Dee Forbes must investigate and action must be taken against the culprit to deal with this extreme breach of trust."



(JG/CM)