RTÉ to Distribute €1.75 Million in Tax-Free Vouchers to Employees

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, is set to inject €1.75 million into its workforce through a unique interim arrangement. The company has announced plans to distribute non-taxable vouchers, valued up to €1,000, to approximately 1,900 employees in 2025.

Voucher Distribution Details and Key Dates

According to tender documents, the voucher program is part of an agreement between RTÉ and the RTÉ Trade Union Group (TUG). The non-taxable vouchers will be provided to all employees who are still with the broadcaster on December 31st, 2023. RTÉ plans to issue the vouchers as early as possible in the new year, following a tender process.

The interim arrangement is set to run until April 30th, 2024, after which a new collective pay agreement will take effect.

TUG Pay Claim and Negotiations

The voucher program follows a pay claim lodged by the TUG in October on behalf of RTÉ staff. The claim sought a flat rate increase of €1,500, plus a 6% increase. Following a conciliation conference held on November 26th, RTÉ and the TUG announced to staff that they will continue discussions on the TUG pay claim in 2025.

Voucher Value and Usage

RTÉ estimates that 1,600 vouchers valued at €1,000 will be distributed, with an additional 200 valued at €600 and 100 valued at €200. The tender issued by RTÉ emphasizes that the annual issuing of voucher cards is not guaranteed, and the value may vary from employee to employee. The vouchers will be physical cards, not digital, and should be usable across a wide range of sectors.

Tender Process and Next Steps

Firms interested in tendering for the voucher program have until January 10th, 2024, to submit their bids. RTÉ anticipates awarding the contract on January 31st, 2024.

Previous Pay Agreements

The last RTÉ pay claim agreement, in place since November 2022, saw staff receive a 6% pay increase over two years. This included a 3% increase backdated to December 2022, a 1.5% increase in October 2023, and a further 1.5% increase on April 30th, 2024.

Stay tuned for updates on the RTÉ voucher program and the outcome of the ongoing pay negotiations.