ITV staff vote to accept 3% pay offer

ITV staff have voted to accept a 3% pay increase following a round of balloting at the trade unions, offsetting the threat of strike action.

In December, trade union members at Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Unite were balloted on the broadcaster's pay offer for this year.

The unions had initially called on ITV to offer a pay increase in line with inflation, up to 4.5% on the latest figures, but ITV warned that the outlook for 2011 was still uncertain.

The broadcaster offered to provide most staff with a 3% consolidated pay increase, along with £120 in shares and £180 in cash, subject to eligibility rules.

Following final ballots last week, Betcu said that its members have voted to accept the offer by four to one, meaning the pay increase will come into effect from January 1. Members of the NUJ and Unite also "voted strongly" to accept ITV's offer.