PROPOSED GRANADA CUTS BRANDED UNACCEPTABLE

BECTU have slammed Granada’s proposals to cut up to 90 jobs at Anglia and Meridian as “unacceptable”.
Anglia TV are set to lose a possible 30 jobs as a result of cuts across a number of departments while another 30 jobs are under threat because of the decision to transfer the production of ‘Survival’ to Bristol from Norwich. Bristol-based staff may also be adversely affected. While Meridian, whose headquarters are in Southampton, are proposing to make up to 30 job cuts.
BECTU Supervisory Official, Sharon Elliott, said: "Our members at all sites will be shocked and hugely disappointed that this is almost the first real taste of being part of the enlarged Granada Media plc. It is unacceptable to us that Granada Media should want to show talented and experienced staff the door at operations which are already run efficiently.
"At this stage little hard information is available to explain the rationale behind these announcements. When we as the recognised union meet with Anglia TV we will do everything we can to minimise the damage to staff.
"The relocation of ‘Survival’ to Bristol is a major loss to Anglia who have for so long been associated with this quality production, respected throughout the world."
Granada Media, which acquired the two ITV licences last year, have explained away the cuts as a means of integrating the companies into their operations. (CD)