Make your boss rich and lose your job

BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union) has accused the owners of Ulster Television of casualisation after they announced 35 redundancies at the start of the summer. The workers were shocked by the announcement as Ulster Television had not reported any financial difficulties to their staff or to the union. In fact last year's pre-tax profits came to £12 million.

The union has said it will fight any compulsory redundancies. BECTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "The company admit that the work remains, however they would prefer to bring in freelancers rather than continue to employ staff who have shown their commitment to the company over many years". The bosses get the big bucks and the workers get no job security or promotion opportunities.

This article is from Workers Solidarity No 58 published in ocgt 1999