3 March 2010
Union representations continue on behalf of the 401 staff employed by Studios and Post-Production, the wholly owned BBC subsidiary, whose future is uncertain.
A meeting with Zarin Patel, chief financial officer, has been described as 'constructive' by general secretary, Gerry Morrissey.
It was clear from the discussion on 24 February that the future shape of operations in Salford is still being negotiated but the meeting concluded with an important agreement that afffected staff in Studios and Post-Production will be invited to express an interest in relocating to Salford and on the same terms as staff in programme production who have already completed this exercise. It is expected that the affected staff will be invited to express their preference by the end of April or early May at the latest.
In addition, BBC management explained that it was their working assumption that the transfer of employment regulations (TUPE) would apply given the relocation of work currently done by staff in London.
However, for those staff who cannot relocate, the planned closure of London TV Centre in 2013, presents a bigger threat to employment.
Whilst the union understands the complexity of the talks surrounding the closure of the site and its future use, officials are insistent that staff should not be ignored, nor their numbers allowed to dwindle, whilst senior BBC executives and their opposite numbers in Studios and Post try to identify a long term survival plan.
BECTU has insisted that no further compulsory redundancies should be implemented until staff have been given the option of considering relocation to Salford.
Prior to the break-up of BBC Resources, studios and post-production staff numbered 1022. When the Outside Broadcasts business was sold to Sislink in 2008, the number of staff was just 735. Now, less than two years on, the number of employees stands at 401.
Writing to Mark Thompson on 10 February to express the union’s frustration at the BBC’s apparent lack of commitment to staff in Studios and Post, Gerry Morrissey said:
“I can no longer sit back and allow our members in Studios and Post Production to die by a thousand cuts. I will take whatever action is necessary to protect the employment and legal rights of my members.”
The union is expected to meet again with senior BBC management in May.
Amended 16.10, 3 March 2010
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