The controversy surrounding the future of the soap continues.
A new report claims that 200 staff members working on RTÉ are fearing for their jobs as the national broadcaster aims to outsource the production of the iconic soap.
Earlier this summer, RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst outlined plans to outsource the flagship programme currently produced inhouse as part of cost saving measures.
At the time, this was met with backlash – with SIPTU members employed in RTÉ stating they were opposed to any attempt to outsource the production of shows currently produced by the national broadcaster to the private sector.
SIPTU Organiser, Martin Mannion, said in June: “RTÉ management’s proposals to cut jobs and outsource productions, such as the Late, Late Show and Fair City, are being forced on staff without consultation with them or their union.
“Rather than a considered response to the crisis facing RTÉ, what we are witnessing is a cynical move by management towards the privatisation of the station.”
Now, a report from the Irish Daily Mail states that the controversy has not died down as RTÉ will start taking expressions of interest from the independent sector for the production of the soap in the next few months.
An RTÉ spokesperson is quoted in the paper as stating: “[Finding a new production firm] will take time and RTÉ is committed to making the right decision. In preparation for this process and in anticipation of likely questions from interested parties, RTÉ is currently compiling details relating to the production of Fair City to ensure it can answer these questions and provide other useful information about the production.
“Kevin Bakhurst has stated on many occasions, both internally and externally, that Fair City is very important to RTÉ and will remain so.”
Despite these comments, staff on the show remain in fear for their livelihoods, according to the Irish Daily Mail.
Also quoted is SIPTU RTÉ Committee chair Zac Sloper, who said that union representatives are worried that Fair City’s running costs will make the soap “unattractive” to independent production firms.
According to Sloper, as per the Mail, SIPTU representatives have been “surprised” by the lack of detail regarding RTÉ’s plans for Fair City’s future and are “concerned that there seemed to be no plan B”.
“Even if a company does want to take it on, we have no idea what that might look like. Existing staff have been told there will be work for them in RTÉ once Fair City goes, but how much there will be or what that looks like is still anyone’s guess,” Sloper told the paper.
JOE has reached out to both RTÉ and SIPTU for comment.
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