OB strike threatens RTE's World Cup coverage

The threat of industrial action by RTÉ Outside Broadcasting (OB) staff has thrown a cloud over continued World Cup coverage by the broadcaster.
The OB staff voted in an overwhelming 6-1 majority to reject a reorganisation plan from the Industrial Relations Tribunal (IRT) which effectively backed an RTE management proposal to outsource its OB needs to independent companies.
The vote again raises the prospect of industrial action, which had been called off last month pending arbitration by the IRT.
Crucially, if industrial action takes place it will do so at a time when the Ireland football team seem well-placed to progress into the World Cup second round.
It has been reported that the action would likely take the form of a work-to-rule instead of a full-blown strike.
Unions representing the staff, SIPTU and TEEU, are demanding that the broadcaster climbs down over the proposals or face interruptions to its coverage of the tournament.
TEEU, which represents about one fifth of the staff affected, will ballot members on Monday, and a SIPTU official has said that some form of action looks likely to occur "in the near future".
RTÉ, www.rte.ie
(GMcG)