The RTÉ group of unions is to have a scheduled meeting with management today to discuss changes to radio schedules and the most recent decision to transfer production staff to other radio programmes.
The meeting, which was arranged some weeks ago following initial changes to RTÉ's radio schedule, will discuss the "unease" among staff and concerns that people are being redeployed to areas in which they have no obvious expertise according to Séamus Dooley, secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He said there appeared to be a deficit of information about how decisions are made and whether staff are entitled to appeal decisions to transfer them to other radio programmes. "We need to look at having greater transparency so that people who are unhappy with redeployment can appeal it," he said.
Mr Dooley further claimed that in some instances there had been "change for change sake" and there was a need for greater explanation regarding the changes.
The decision to change the backroom team of Ryan Tubridy's radio programme was noted by Mr Dooley as one area of concern because it had proven itself to be a "winning team". In the past week, staff on numerous programmes, including Today with Pat Kenny and 5-7 Live, have been told they are to be moved. The Business, presented by John Murray, is to move from its current 8.30am slot on Saturday to 10am on Sunday and will now be broadcast year-round. Liveline is one of the few programmes that will be largely unaffected.
Last night, some staff were said to be happy with the proposed changes.
During the discussions today the delegation consisting of Mary Curtin, secretary of the RTÉ group of unions, Jimmy Doran, secretary of Siptu and Mr Dooley, is expected to focus on the perceived lack of consultation with staff and how to address emerging concerns.
A spokesman for RTÉ said there is always a review of staff assignments before the autumn schedule. He accepted that while there was more movement this year and more unhappiness among some staff, that the decisions were made in an effort to compete for RTÉ's market share.