Trade unions at RTÉ have been told about plans for spending curbs to help deal with the station's financial difficulties. Advertising revenue at the national broadcaster has fallen by £12m this year. Cash reserves have fallen and if costs rise unchecked, the station will have to borrow by the middle of next year.
However, the Executive Board has decided that the core services of two television channels and four radio channels should be continued. A presence in the digital media should also be maintained and there should be a continuing commitment to music. Assets must not be sold off to meet current deficits and the cost base must be changed to secure the future.
Altogether, almost £25 million are to be shaved off the 2002 budget. The cuts will affect all areas of RTÉ and will range from a third of a million to £6.75m.
Trade union officials briefed staff today on management proposals. They were told that the RTÉ group of unions had delivered on the Transformation Agreement - a painful process of job losses and changes in work practices. In view of this, the unions were all agreed that there would be no compulsory redundancies in the organisation.
