STRIKE action that would have disrupted BBC Scotland output today and on Monday has been averted – for now.
The industrial action was set to go ahead over compulsory redundancy facing three members of staff at BBC Scotland the end of the month.
But the National Union of Journalists has agreed to call off the strike action – and a protest in London that was also set for today – after the BBC agreed to continue talks on the trio.
But the BBC, UK-wide, is still facing the prospect of strike action – by members of the NUJ and sister trade union, BECTU – on Thursday because of the threat of compulsory redundancy in various parts of the Corporation: nine in Scotland, including the above-mentioned trio.
Union members at BBC Scotland are currently engaged in a work-to-rule, in protest at the threat of compulsory redundancy hanging over colleagues.
Says a NUJ media release: “Three NUJ members were facing the threat of compulsory redundancy on March 31 but management have agreed to extend time for talks into April. This will allow further opportunity for training and redeployment efforts on behalf of those at risk.
“The three Scottish Chapels (Glasgow/Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness) agreed to accept the offer of more space to seek solutions to the dispute but are still in line for taking action as part of the joint NUJ-BECTU strike next Thursday.”
Paul Holleran, NUJ Scottish Organiser, is quoted as saying: “[The extended talks agreement] was achieved by the NUJ Scottish chapels standing firm behind their colleagues and some spirited negotiations by their officials. It has been extremely hard work but it will all be worth it if we can get work for these members and enter talks in a constructive manner in how our newsrooms operate in the future.”
