STV journalists to go on strike for second time

However, the union said that the pay rise could easily be paid for via money that has been paid to chief executive Simon Pitts.

Mr McGowan-Lowe said: “A tiny fraction of chief executive Simon Pitt’s bonus would be enough to resolve this dispute for all 90 of the newsroom’s staff – and still leave him paid vastly more than the director general of the BBC – an organisation that is over 45 times larger than STV.”

An STV spokeswoman said the company had offered “enhanced” terms.

She said: “We understand that almost half of NUJ members voted to accept the enhanced offer, which included a bonus payment for all STV staff.

“We remain open to further dialogue but the NUJ’s claim for an above inflation pay increase of 6% – nearly twice the current level of inflation – is unrealistic and unaffordable.”

The spokeswoman added that the company considered their offer “fair and financially responsible”.

She said alternative programming would air in place of news programmes.

The first one-day strike in the dispute saw newsroom staff form picket lines in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, while a separate demonstration at the Scottish Parliament attracted cross-party support.

At the time, First Minister Humza Yousaf called on STV to return to talks with the union to reach a fair settlement.

The second scheduled strike day, scheduled for Wednesday 16 April, was postponed after talks between the NUJ and management.

Following further talks, a package of proposals was put to NUJ members.