BBC job cuts condemned
BECTU has spoken out against 129 planned redundancies among BBC programme-makers.
The job cuts were announced today, November 1, in the BBC's Factual and Learning Division. Most of the redundancies will be among programme-making staff, with 92 falling in the London Documentaries section, and 16 in Arts and Specialist Factual.
Cuts in the regions fall on support and production staff in Birmingham, where up to 9 posts may go, and Manchester, where 12 posts are to be axed in Religion and Specialist Factual.
BBC managers have said that the cuts are due to "overstaffing", after changes in the mix of programme genres produced by F&L, but BECTU has rejected this claim, and pointed to the planned increase in budgets promised by Director-General Greg Dyke.
The union believes that the effect of the cuts in London will be an increase in the use of freelance and casual staff. Representatives said they were "horrified" by the level of redundancies proposed.
A negotiating meeting between union and management is due on November 6.
PRESS INFORMATION
Embargoed until 1200 Thursday November 1
Attention of arts and entertainment correspondents plus labour and industry correspondents
Union outrage at BBC job losses
A plan to cut 129 programme-making jobs at the BBC has been condemned by BECTU, the broadcasting and entertainment union.
BECTU has warned that the cuts will accelerate a ten-year decline in regional programme production, and will make London-based programmes more dependent on freelance labour.
London staff face 92 redundancies in the Documentaries section of the BBC's Factual and Learning Division - the department that was expected to expand its output following the success of programmes like Blue Planet and Son of God.
A further 21 job cuts are planned in Birmingham and Manchester, some among staff who provide support to programme-makers.
Gerry Morrissey, BECTU's Assistant General Secretary, said: "These cuts are much deeper than necessary, and fly in the face of Greg Dyke's promise to spend more money on programme-making.
"The threat of redundancies in the regions", he said, "will just add to the spiral of decline that has been going on for several years, and the hidden agenda for London seems to be casualisation of the BBC's award-winning production staff.
"BECTU will fight to limit the job cuts and prevent compulsory redundancies."
Union representatives are due to meet BBC TV management on Tuesday November 6.
ENDS
Note to editors.
2.Press reports in May of impending cuts in BBC Factual and Learning were strenuously denied by managers.
1.Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union is the BBC's main staff union, and represents all production staff in BBC Factual and Learning.
Further information from Gerry Morrissey at BECTU Head Office: 0207 437 8506 Mobile: 07850 317866 E-mail:[email protected]
111 Wardour Street London W1F 0AY www.bectu.org.uk