View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Union talks could avert fresh 48-hour BBC strike

By Oliver Luft

Hopes were raised of averting a fresh 48-hour strike by BBC journalists after moves were made to agree new talks between union leaders and management.

Members of the National Union of Journalists staged a 48-hour walkout last Friday and Saturday in a row over pensions which disrupted radio and TV programmes, and are due to strike again on Monday and Tuesday

Behind-the-scenes moves are believed to have been held last night involving Gerry Morrissey, leader of the broadcasting workers’ union Bectu, raising hopes that a breakthrough could be achieved.

NUJ leaders are set to meet in the next few days and could consider calling off next week’s strike, sources said.

The union has been pressing the BBC to reconsider changes to its pension scheme if its deficit is found to be less than the currently estimated £1.5 billion when it is re-evaluated next year.

A senior BBC executive said: “The BBC is not prepared to reopen negotiations, the offer is the offer.

“We are happy to meet the joint unions to clarify some elements of the new arrangements, although we will not do this with the spectre of strikes which will impact the public still hanging over us.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Last week’s walkout saw presenters including Radio Five Live’s Nicky Campbell and TV newsreaders Fiona Bruce and Huw Edwards join the action.

It led to the scrapping of popular programmes including Radio 4’s flagship Today programme, the World At One and PM, with freelance staff and non-union journalists also drafted in on the TV news channel.

The strike followed a 70 per cent rejection from NUJ members of the BBC’s offer on pensions, which the union described as making journalists “pay more, work longer and receive lower pensions”.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network