Multi-skilled jobs agreed in BBC Regions

In a closely-run ballot, BBC Resource members in English Regions have accepted new job descriptions.

56 of them voted in favour of the changes, while 50 voted against. All the staff affected work in the Production Services section of BBC Resources.

In view of the close result, negotiators are hoping for further discussions with management to iron out remaining problems with the package, particularly details of job descriptions.

After that, there will be local discussions in the BBC's regional production centres before the new roles are finally introduced. Staff employed by BBC Resources Ltd in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol are not involved in the change.

Union negotiators had recommended acceptance of the new multi-skilled roles, on the understanding that there would be no consequent redundancies. The package of changes also included the scrapping of an annualised hours system for calculation of overtime in BBC North.

Over 500 staff will now move from more than 170 separate job descriptions into just 15 new roles.