Ex-ITV Digital employees sue for £1 million

The failure of ITV Digital continues to cast a shadow over former owners Carlton and Granada as a group of former employees have launched a £1 million law suit against them.
The 140-strong ex-ITV Digital Employees Group, whose jobs at the insolvent DTT platform's Battersea headquarters were dissolved after the company went into administration, are suing the two broadcasters for not observing a proper consultation process previous to the dismissals.
The group further claims that they are still owed money by Carlton and Granada and have engaged a legal team from Hobson Audley to pursue their claim.
A spokesman for Hobson Audley, solicitor Ravinder Mahal, said that employment legislation and the ITV Digital redundancy policy provided for a 90-day consultation period that was not adhered to.
He added: "Some of the staff are also entitled to payments as a matter of law, which they have not yet received. We are hopeful these issues can be resolved amicably and will not have to go to the high court."
Deloitte & Touche, the ITV Digital administrator, had said in March that some employees may receive less or none of their contractual severance packages. The unpaid wages and outstanding packages could top the £2 million mark.
In response to the legal move, Carlton would not elaborate on a statement issued by them last month, which read: "We have done exactly what we promised in the letter. Former employees have received their notice and enhanced redundancy terms.
"If staff wish to pursue this separate issue about the consultancy period further, they must do so directly with ITV Digital and the administrator."
Granada, www.granada.co.uk
Carlton, www.carltonplc.co.uk
(GMcG)