NUJ calls off BBC strike
A planned strike by BBC journalists which would have disrupted TV and radio programmes next week was called off tonight to allow fresh talks to be held in a row over pensions.
Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) staged a 48-hour walkout last Friday and Saturday and were due to strike again next Monday and Tuesday.
But the union said tonight the corporation had agreed to hold fresh talks about planned changes to the pension scheme and had also dropped disciplinary action taken against a handful of employees who took part in last week’s strike.
The NUJ said the BBC had changed its position on holding more talks and said it would now endeavour to reach a negotiated settlement.
BBC director general Mark Thompson sent an email to staff tonight saying calling off the strike was “very welcome news”.
He went on: “It means we will be able to deliver our news and current affairs programmes and services to audiences here and around the world without interruption or loss of quality.
“It also means that our journalistic and broadcast teams will be able to work together without the difficult and sometimes divisive issues that inevitably accompany strikes.”
