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BBC strike avoided

24/01/2008

A BBC strike has been avoided after the broadcaster agreed terms with unions regarding controversial cost-cutting plans.

Some 2,500 jobs are to be lost as the BBC Trust seeks to reduce outgoings following a £2 billion budget shortfall.

After all-night talks between the corporation and the joint staff unions - Bectu, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Unite - threatened industrial action has been averted.

The unions will now ballot members in a bid to find volunteers for redundancies so as to avoid the need for compulsory job losses.

Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the NUJ, said: "We're pleased the imminent threat of compulsory redundancies has been addressed and that all staff required to work unpredictable hours will continue to get a fair deal.

"These negotiations now give us a basis on which we can address further changes proposed by the BBC."

Stephen Kelly, director of BBC People, added: "The negotiations with the trade unions have been very constructive given the complexity of the issues and the BBC's financial position.

"We are hopeful that the proposed agreement will settle the dispute and enable the BBC to make the necessary changes required for the benefit of our audiences."

One in six jobs in the corporation's news department could go as a result of the budget cuts.