New Media cuts challenged

BECTU is challenging 100 possible redundancies across New Media in the BBC.

The proposals have been made following a £7m reduction in online spend across all of the New Media family in the Corporation, from £113.5m in 2002-3 to £106.2m in 2003-04.

The proposals cover New Media activities in three Divisions:

• Factual and Learning: 57 post closures (34 in London and 23 in Bristol)
• Radio and Music: 25 post closures
• New Media: 44 post closures and the creation of 22 new posts

BECTU is seeking more information on the financial cases from each Division and more details of the numbers affected in each category and contract type.

Management have claimed that the ACAS resettlement agreement on five months notice for redundancy does not apply to fixed-term contracts. The union is challenging this as less favourable treatment which is contrary to current legislation.

Until this issue is resolved BECTU is advising potentially affected members not to complete non-binding preference forms being distributed in new media areas.