BBC representatives from the National Union of Journalists today unanimously backed strike action in the face of a refusal by corporation managers to reconsider plans for up to eight compulsory redundancies.
NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: "It's either incompetence or intransigence – a deal is there to be done but BBC managers are seeking to heap misery upon misery by pushing through compulsory job cuts and thereby provoking strike action. It's a poor way to run the world's leading public service broadcaster. BBC staff and licence-fee payers deserve better.”
NUJ National Broadcasting Organiser Paul McLaughlin said: “We made it clear at the start of this process we would not accept compulsory redundancies because we said there was no need. There is still no need and BBC managers have only themselves to blame for the angry reaction of their staff.”
Talks between the two are expected to take place over the coming days. If no acceptable outcome is found, strike dates will be announced and will start with a 24-hour stoppage in February.
The compulsory redundancies involve BBC News, BBC People and New Media.
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