Unions make demands over BBC cuts

Mark Thompson has fleshed out plans for job cuts

Broadcasting union officials are due to meet the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, to discuss planned job cuts at the corporation.

Last month, Mr Thompson announced proposals to axe up to 4,000 posts over the next three years.

BBC media correspondent Torin Douglas said the unions were not convinced there was a need for such large cuts.

They are demanding a three-month consultation period and a bar on compulsory redundancies.

Industrial action

Officials from Bectu, Amicus and the National Union of Journalists are due to hold talks with Mark Thompson over the proposed cuts.

The BBC first announced plans for substantial job cuts in December, and expanded on them last month.

Under the plans, more than 2,000 jobs are to go in programme making departments, and another 1,700 would be cut in support areas.

The money saved from the cuts would be reinvested in new programmes and services.

Union officials say that if Mr Thompson refuses to meet their demands they will hold a ballot on industrial action.