STV’s news programming faced significant disruption today (Friday, May 8) as journalists and technical staff undertook a 24-hour strike coinciding with the crucial Scottish election count. The industrial action, organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Bectu, which represents technical staff, resulted in the complete absence of STV News broadcasts, with election coverage replaced by pre-recorded entertainment programming.
The strike stems from an ongoing pay dispute, with unions protesting STV management’s decision to implement a 0% pay award for 2026. This has been widely condemned by staff as a real-terms pay cut amidst rising living costs. Picket lines were established outside STV offices in Glasgow and Aberdeen from 8:30 am to noon.
Rufus Radcliffe, STV’s Chief Executive, communicated to staff via email on Thursday, asserting that making any salary award at this time would be “fiscally irresponsible” and could necessitate further cost-cutting measures later in the year.
However, union representatives have voiced strong opposition to the company’s stance. Nick McGowan-Lowe, National Organiser for Scotland of the NUJ, stated: “It’s frustrating that due to the stubbornness of STV management, on the biggest news day in Scotland for years, Scottish viewers, listeners and readers won’t be able to hear what they have to say from some of the most well respected journalists, reporters and producers in Scottish broadcasting.”
He added: “Our members would much rather be reporting the election results than standing on picket lines, but they have been driven to this action by management indifference as to how underworked and underpaid they are. CEO Rufus Radcliffe has once again failed to grasp the opportunity to end this dispute, and personally embarrassing for him that STV will be broadcasting reruns instead of the biggest news story in Scotland.”
Paul McManus, Bectu negotiations officer for Scotland, echoed these sentiments, commenting:
“Staff at STV have been left with no choice but to take this action. They are being asked to take a real terms pay cut against the backdrop of rocketing prices and when they are already overworked. As usual, it is workers being asked to take the financial hit while STV seems able to find money to invest in other areas of the business.”
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The strike impacted the broadcaster’s scheduled election coverage, with an episode of the quiz show “The Chase” airing instead of the planned 5 pm election programme, and “Sean’s Scotland” replacing the “STV News at Six”. STV indicated that regular election updates would be provided via its digital news service and STV Radio.
This industrial action unfolds as STV navigates broader financial challenges, following a profit warning in July 2025 and a decline in revenue. Concurrently, media regulator Ofcom has postponed a decision on STV’s controversial plans to consolidate its regional news services, which could see the dedicated North of Scotland news programme replaced by a single, Glasgow-anchored broadcast with regional segments.
Ofcom cited a large public response to its consultation as the reason for delaying its ruling until after the Scottish elections. The proposed changes to news provision have been met with strong opposition from unions, politicians, and a significant portion of the public, who fear damage to local journalism.
