RTÉ is considering a number of cost cutting measures including pay cuts and a reduction in staff expenses and overtime, in order to meet its forecasted revenue shortfall.
In a letter to all staff issued today, Director General Cathal Goan said RTÉ is currently forecasting a shortfall of approximately €68m in total revenue for 2009. He said that €10m in savings must come from personnel related operating costs.
A number of cost saving measures are now being considered, including a pay cut for all personnel based on the scale of earnings.
Other steps could include the non-payment of increments in 2009, reduction of travel and subsistence rates, the reduction of freelance rates and the stopping of privilege days.
Work practice changes being considered include reduced exposure to overtime, a reduction in overtime rates and no productivity payments for work practice changes.
These options have now been presented in outline to the RTÉ Trade Union Group and the Management Association.
In the letter, Cathal Goan said that although none of the options mentioned are pleasant, staff must work together to deliver the appropriate actions. He added that RTÉ's key principles are to maintain its programming output and its competitive edge, and to protect employment to the greatest extent possible.
RTE's group of unions (TUG) has said the proposals presented to it by RTE's Director General and Executive Board will be the subject of 'intensive discussions' over the next two weeks.
In a statement the TUG executive said it had made it clear to RTÉ that any proposed changes to existing agreements would be handled through the normal industrial relations processes. 'The TUG's priority, in any discussions, will be the protection of employment in RTÉ,' it said.
