Solidarity sees off compulsory redundancies at the BBCBBC-wide strike action set for April 2nd and April 9th was called off as the NUJ reached a last minute agreement. BBC-wide strike action set for April 2nd and April 9th was called off as the NUJ reached a last minute agreement. The strike was in opposition to compulsory redundancies – most of them at the BBC World Service South Asia service. A ballot had shown 77% support for taking strike action – an indication of the strength of feeling that any jobs lost must be through negotiation and agreement.
After talks with NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear, the BBC issued a statement saying: “We can confirm that in this instance we expect that we can deal with the individuals involved through a combination of voluntary severance and redeployment such that there would not be a need for compulsory redundancies.” A further meeting is scheduled for 20/21 April to consider progress made in avoiding compulsory redundancies and resolving any outstanding issues in the South Asia service. The union is reserving its right to give notice of further industrial action in the event that there are any outstanding threats of compulsory redundancy in the South Asia service. Dear thanked the NUJ members at the BBC for their solidarity, which yet again had helped deliver a satisfactory agreement.
AW 2009-04-04
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