Strike action at the BBC over changes to its pension fund has been averted for the time being, after corporation executives agreed to meet broadcasting unions to discuss the dispute.
Bectu, Amicus and the National Union of Journalists threatened industrial action over the changes, which would see the retirement age of 16,000 staff increased from 60 to 65, contributions raised to 7.5% of pay and the final salary scheme closed to new members.
But the BBC and the unions have agreed to meet, probably next week, to discuss the proposals. The BBC delegation is expected to be led by its head of employee relations, Gillian Alford.
The unions have put a strike ballot on hold, but are going ahead with meetings with their members across the country to highlight the pension issue and explain the complicated proposals to employees.
The Bectu assistant general secretary, Gerry Morrissey, said his union would only not ballot its members if the BBC agreed to "serious concessions" over its pension plans.
"We are not prepared to come to a meeting just to rubber stamp the BBC's proposals. We are looking for concessions on a number of the proposals, especially the raising of the retirement age and the closure the final salary scheme to new staff," he said.
"It is true that this won't affect many current employees but 70% of people in the current pension scheme are under 50 and are being told that they will have to work another five years."
A BBC spokeswoman said that the corporation wanted to hear the views of its staff and wrote to all its 25,000 active and potential pension scheme members on April 21 and on the same day met with the unions to start a two-month consultation exercise over its proposed pension changes.
"We have been actively working to arrange further meetings with the unions despite their strike threat and are waiting confirmation about their availability. We were surprised that the unions threatened strike action at the start of a public consultation process and after only one union meeting," she added. "We would welcome the opportunity to discuss the unions' concerns in more detail and are pleased that yesterday they confirmed they are prepared to attend further meetings."
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