Multiskilling talks impasse

Talks on multiskilling in BBC English Regions have stalled.

BECTU and the NUJ met with English Regions' management on 26th July in Birmingham to continue discussions about rewards for multiskilling.

Earlier in the week, a caucus had reviewed the indicators which, it is hoped, will clarify the competency bars between grades 5/7 and 8.

The talks at Pebble Mill stalled when it became obvious that there was a fundamental difference in thinking between English Regions' management and the unions. The unions have been insisting that staff who shoot and edit and have editorial control of their material, meet the requirements of grade 8.

Management, focused on a possible roll out of the Rosenblum initiative (qv), is insisting that the use of DV cameras and desktop editing are rapidly becoming "entry level" skills. The only concession offered was to move multiskilled journalists onto the grade 7 fully effective salary (F.E.S.) more speedily.

BECTU officials submitted separate indicators for discussion about the progression of technical staff through grades 5/7 to 8. OST and ER managements are insisting that the agreement reached with the former PSE over grading remains in force and have indicated that the highest level of technical staff "they require" is at grade 7.

Although level 8 indicators are focused presently on journalistic attributes, BECTU is urging management to give more thought to equalising the position regarding technical staff with high end skills.

The PSE agreement on technical staff's 5/7 link grade comes up for review in the near future, and BECTU will be pressing for that review to encompass the union's views on equality and fairness.

The talks at Pebble Mill stalled with no further discussion taking place on the 5/7 and 8 indicators. Due to summer leave, it is unlikely that any further meetings will be held before September.