ONE in six staff in RTE are classified as managers in their contracts and they got a pay rise over a year ago even though the station was skint, it has emerged.
The disclosure was made by Director General Kevin Bakhurst to staff in reply to answers from a town hall meeting before Christmas.
He also acknowledged that some members of staff described as bosses may not even manage someone.
A briefing document summarising the meeting and sent to employees read: “Managers got a pay increase last year and in previous years as part of a deal paid to all RTE employees.
“There are 300 people in RTE characterised as managers. They maybe line managers or may not manage people.
“KB (Kevin Bakhurst) said many managers are brilliant and some who are not so good.
“There will be a reduction in the number of managers with fewer people to be managed.”
He urged staff to respect people and not to be disparaging because of a manager’s title.
The Director General also indicated he is in favour of a new pay rise for all RTE staff and he believes in people being properly and fairly rewarded in so far as the organisation can pay.
The doc stated: “ Negotiations will start soon with unions on the next pay deal. The duration of a deal and what is fair and affordable will be looked at.
“Pay has been addressed in some areas. For example, pay bands at RnaG have been brought in line with radio producers.”
Mr Bakhurst expressed frustration at the Dept of Media and its failure to sign off on a new Voluntary Exit Scheme to reduce staff numbers.
‘ESSENTIAL ROLE’
He said 176/177 applied for the last exit scheme and just 26 people left.
In a statement, RTE said: “The Director General made the comments at a staff meeting to highlight that the role of a manager in RTE is wide ranging and refers to people at all levels and in all parts of the organisation, including project managers and line managers.
“He also highlighted that managers at all levels play an essential role in the day to day operation of RTE.”
PAY DEAL
The spokesperson added: “The salary entry point for management positions in RTE is €49,542.
“The pay increase referred to was part of a pay agreement between RTE and the Trade Unions and applied to all staff, not just those classified as managers.
“The agreement included a 6 per cent pay increase over two years and was passed by ballot in December 2022.
“RTE has continued to reduce its headcount since 2023 as part of ongoing cost management measures.
“However while RTE’s five year strategy proposes to reduce headcount in RTE by up to 400 over the next five years, these plans have not yet been approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.”
BAILOUT FUNDS
The state allocated €225 million for RTE this year plus €60 million for TG4. RTE recorded a deficit of €9.1 million in 2023.
RTE will then receive a guaranteed €240m in 2026 and €260m in 2027 in funding from the licence fee and the exchequer.
The station implemented over €10 million in cutbacks in 2024 and pledged to reduce its headcount by 400 by 2028.
Last year it had a total of 1,852 full-time, part time and casual staff.
A typical “manager to staff ratio” is considered to be around 1 manager to 10 staff members.
New Media Minister Patrick O’Donovan is expected to meet Mr Bakhurst and senior RTE executives in the coming weeks after their transformative and survival strategy.
