INDUSTRIAL action by journalists could disrupt the start of the Irish language television service in two months unless agreement is reached over salaries and conditions.
RTE has held meetings with the National Union of Journalists, which represents the 18 people being trained to work in the news area of Teilifis na Gaeilge. According to NUJ sources, however, RTE will not negotiate and has distanced itself from the new service, saying the journalists are employed by Seirbhisi Theilifis na Gaeilge Ten, which RTE has set up to launch TnaG.
The journalists, called iriseoiri fise, or video journalists, are being trained not just in journalistic practices, but also in the use of lighting, sound technology and cameras.
The journalists, when trained, will be paid on a scale starting at £17,000 a year and will be expected to use a digital editing system.
The NUJ has objected, saying the journalists, working for a national service, should be paid the same as their RTE colleagues and that agreement should be reached on the use of technology.
Within RTE there is a concern that TnaG will act as a stalking horse. Journalists are due to begin negotiations on new technology, which will probably include digital editing. However, it is thought that if journalists at TnaG are already working the technology the union's negotiating position will be undermined.
When TnaG is established, RTE will provide 30 minutes of news each day under the editorship of an RTE journalist, Mr Michael Lally.
RTE is also appointing a political correspondent for Nuacht, who will also feed news to the TnaG service.
The Irish secretary of the NUJ, Mr Eoin Ronayne, said yesterday that all 18 TnaG trainees had been recruited to the NUJ. The journalists would be equipped with the latest technology, which was not yet in use in any major service in the way being proposed by RTE.
The union fears that RTE wants reporters to carry small video cameras in their cars, with others expected to take over all areas of production in exceptional circumstances. Both proposals would cause considerable friction with other unions.
`The NUJ is fully committed to the service and is seeking meaningful talks,' Mr Ronayne said.