Ongoing Negotiations On BBC Redundancies

In a recent joint statement the BBC and unions have said that during negations on compulsory redundancies there will be no communiqués issued.
The statement read: "Following informal dialogue between the BBC and the Joint Unions it has been agreed that formal negotiations will take place between January 9 and 23, 2008. During this period there will be no further communications.
"The Joint Unions have agreed to make no announcements until 23rd January with regard their intentions to take industrial action and the BBC have agreed that there will be no announcements in relation to compulsory redundancies prior to that date."
A union threat of industrial action over job cuts at the BBC has been suspended to allow further talks.
In a joint statement issued by Bectu, NUJ, and Unite on January 4, the unions announced that negotiations over 2,500 job cuts, and changes to pensions and allowances, would resume on January 9.
Bectu said that BBC Management had agreed to delay giving notice of any dismissals until January 23, and will use the fortnight’s hiatus to continue discussions with the unions which were broken off in November, amid strike threats.
However, the unions have undertaken not to announce the outcome of union strike ballots which were due to close on January 9. Union members have been advised that the ongoing negotiations will be conducted behind closed doors.
No further announcements are expected until January 23.
The talks will focus on plans to axe 2,500 jobs in a range of BBC departments and changes to terms and conditions.
(SP)