BECTU Criticises Ofcom's Proposed Job Cuts

BECTU has said that it will help its members resist compulsory redundancies, following the announcement by media regulator Ofcom that it wants to axe 170 posts.
The industry regulator has been tasked with making budget cuts of 30% by 2015, following the coalition Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.
BECTU said that a 90-day consultation period has been opened, following a staff briefing, with an invitation to staff in the affected pools to declare an interest in voluntary redundancy.
The union said that most of its members work in Content and Standards, one of the areas thought to be targeted for cuts.
Commenting on the developments, Supervisory Official, David Beevers, said: "We believe that the call for these substantial post closures from Content and Standards is ill-judged. These staff help to generate income for the Exchequer through their work on broadcast licences. Other roles, such as HR and legal, are deemed to be out of scope so we'll be questioning this rationale.
"It is hoped that all post closures will be achieved via volunteers; however, we will asset our members to resist any compulsory redundancies."
Ofcom management also announced the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme to future accruals from March 2011. Commenting on this announcement, Mr Beevers said: "As far as the closure of the defined benefit pension scheme is concerned, we will oppose this move, not least because it is no more than a gesture. There are now only a handful of people still active in the scheme, therefore savings will be minimal."
(KMcA/GK)