BBC workers in Vale strike over job cuts and privatisation fears (From Tewkesbury Admag)

BBC workers in Vale strike over job cuts and privatisation fears

STAFF arriving for work at BBC Wood Norton on Monday were met by pickets supporting the nationwide strike of BBC unions opposing plans for job cuts and privatisation.

"It was just a small friendly picket here," said union spokesman Kevin Doig. "It is a very close community at Wood Norton and we did not want to cause an upset so we were only there to talk to people. After that we got on with the daily business."

Mr Doig explained that the strike was in support of colleagues nationally though staff cuts could lead to 30 or 40 people losing their jobs at Wood Norton or being outsourced.

"There are other strikes planned for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week," he said. "We are hoping the BBC will get round the negotiating table with the unions before then and strike action will be averted."

He warned if negotiations did not take place, there would be more industrial action.

The BBC is looking to cut the workforce by 20 per cent, up to 4,000 jobs nationally, and to sell off Resources Ltd and Broadcast Ltd. The unions say there should be no compulsory redundancies, they want a 90-day moratorium on changes and say there should be no outsourcing of professional services but if the sales go through then members must have their terms, conditions and pensions protected.