OFF AIR
Why is STV News not on? Show CANCELLED after staff walk out of newsrooms on strike
John MacKay joined the picket line forcing the broadcasters to pull its news programmes off air
STV News shows have been cancelled as journalists down tools in a dispute over pay.
The broadcaster was forced to axe its flagship news programmes as staff staged a walkout.
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The station was flung into chaos with shows including the News at Six and Scotland Tonight being pulled off air.
Staff staged a walk out after members of the National Union of Journalists voted overwhelmingly to strike.
It comes after talks at the broadcaster broke down with the NUJ stating the strike will "empty newsrooms" at offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The next proposed strike day is April 16 with more expected to be announced if the situation is not resolved.
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Members of the journalism union are seeking a six per cent pay rise to keep in line with inflation due to the cost-of-living crisis.
STV News programmes have been completely wiped off the telly schedule as staff walk out in a bitter dispute over pay.
Industrial action meant the popular STV News at Six - fronted by telly favourite John MacKay - was pulled off screen as workers were on the picket line instead.
Bosses at STV have offered the increase for the bottom three per cent of earners but said offering the increase to all staff was "unrealistic and unaffordable".
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The NUJ claims salaries for journalists at STV have fallen behind those in similar jobs at the BBC or ITV.
The union also claims that about a third of the newsroom, including experienced reporters, earn less than a teacher's starting salary.
The NUJ pointed to the broadcaster recording an operating profit of £20.1million last year, despite falling by 22% due, in part, to a downturn in advertising revenues.
William Black wrote: "STV news off air ?"
Another user wrote: "STVNews - good evening why is the STV news at 6pm isn't on and it's wasn't on GMB this morning."
Broadcaster John McKay, shared a link detailing why the channel was off air, writing: "If you’re wondering why there’s no STV News at Six tonight."
An STV spokesperson said: "We’ve continued to engage with the NUJ with the aim of finding resolution and we remain open to further dialogue, but their claim for an above inflation pay increase of 6% is unrealistic and unaffordable.
"In this current economic climate, the offer made is both fair and financially responsible and is already being paid to over 85% of our colleagues across the rest of the business, including news colleagues in the BECTU union who voted to accept the award.
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"Our enhanced offer of this week, which included confirmation of a bonus for all STV employees – as we won’t agree a separate deal for NUJ members - was rejected by the NUJ.
"Contingency plans are in place.”