BBC cuts talks break down

Talks with BBC management concerning 13% post cuts at Television Centre's Studio Operations section have broken down.

A ballot for industrial action is now likely to be carried out if the BBC management attempt to implement their plan to make 16 staff compulsorily redundant using the controversial selection criteria of hours worked (utilisation).

The potential redundancies, targeting lighting, sound, camera and floor London-based staff in BBC Television Studio Production Resources (TSPR) department, have angered staff across the Corporation's Resources Directorate.

TSPR made a surplus of £4.5M in 1996/7 before internal corporate overheads were deducted, and are projecting another surplus in the current financial year.