RTÉ staff may face pay cuts of a minimum of 5%

RTÉ STAFF face cuts in pay of a minimum of 5 per cent under proposals expected to be announced today.

It is understood that the station yesterday informed trade unions that it wants to making savings of about €10 million in payroll costs. Informed sources said that under the proposals staff would face cuts of 5 per cent on the first €50,000 in earnings.

This would rise to 7.5 per cent for the next €50,000 and to 10 per cent on pay levels of between €100,000 and €150,000.

Under the proposals staff would face a 12.5 per cent cut on earnings between €150,000 and €250,000.

It is understood that RTÉ also proposed introducing restrictions on privilege days.

A spokeswoman last night declined to comment on the proposals. She said the details would be set out for staff today.

Last November RTÉ senior management told an Oireachtas committee that it wanted to make cuts of over € 50 million to its budget next year to avoid a deficit.

The State broadcaster has already introduced a wage freeze for staff and halted the payment of annual increments.

The committee was told that senior managers in the organisation had already agreed to a wage cut of up to 17.5 per cent . Over recent months virtually all of its senior broadcasters have agreed to take a voluntary cut in their pay.