Big changes are coming.
RTÉ is planning a large number of staff cuts in 2020 as well as a 15% pay reduction for their highest earning presenters as the broadcaster attempts to reduce projected costs by €60 million over three years (2020-2023).
The broadcaster said on Wednesday evening that 200 job cuts are expected next year and said they will work with staff and unions on a number of initiatives to reduce costs.
These include pay freezes, tiered pay reductions, review of benefits and work practice reforms.
Director-General of RTÉ Dee Forbes said RTÉ had planned to brief staff on the plan this week but had postponed the briefing due to the sad passing of Gay Byrne.
However, with so much detail of the plan now in the public domain, Forbes said the decision was made to contact all staff immediately and update them on the revised plan.
Forbes will also take a 10% pay cut, along with the other eight members of the Executive Board. Members of the RTÉ Authority will also waive their fees in the future, and as mentioned previously, top presenters will take a 15% pay cut.
According to the plan, the RTÉ Limerick studio will close as well as Digital Audio Broadcast network.
“The challenges in front of us are real,” Forbes said. “But RTÉ does have a plan, which we are confident can address many of the challenges we face and bring Ireland’s national public broadcaster to stability.
“However, Government needs to act to ensure there is a future for public service media in Ireland. I am clear about what role RTÉ should play in Irish life, but I am also clear that we cannot do it unless Government fixes the TV Licence system. We shouldn’t be under any illusions; we are in a fight – a fight to sustain a viable public media in Ireland.”
“We remain in discussions with Government. We are doing all we can to return RTÉ to a stable financial position, but we will not be able to reinvent public media for future generations, nor fulfil our remit, without immediate reform of the TV Licence system.”
RTÉ currently employs over 1,800 people with over 200 of these in part-time positions.
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