BBC given more time on pay

Unions hope to announce this year's BBC pay offer on May 18, after draft proposals were considered by a meeting in London.

The pay offer has still not been formally tabled by the BBC, but today a meeting of BECTU, NUJ and AEEU representatives in London was able to discuss a draft proposal for the 1999 pay settlement.

This included a percentage increase, with a guaranteed minimum rise for all staff, but did not deal with a number of other demands which were made by the unions during pay negotiations last month.

The delay in announcing the pay offer is intended to allow the management to give further consideration to these demands before the unions decide whether members should be advised to accept or reject the offer.

This is now the third time that an advertised deadline for announcement of the pay offer has been missed in this year's negotiations, but the unions are confident that they will be able to make a full statement to members on May 18.

Until then both unions and management have agreed not to reveal details of the draft proposals in order not to prejudice last minute discussions behind the scenes.