BBC chief rejects pension talks

BBC director general Mark Thompson has told striking journalists that he will not discuss the broadcaster's plans to change its pension arrangements further, despite the threat of industrial action.

Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) forced Radio 4 to drop its flagship Today programme from its schedule when they walked out last week and additional strikes are pencilled in for throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

"We cannot and will not enter fresh negotiations or contemplate fresh changes to the agreed offer on pension reform no matter how much industrial action there is from the NUJ," Mr Thompson said in an email to staff.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear has publicly questioned the BBC's insistence that it must cut its purported pension deficit of £1.5 million, but offered to postpone any strikes if the corporation agrees to renegotiate the deal next year.

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However, presenters including Evan Davis and Sarah Montague caused consternation among NUJ members when they broke last week's walkout to present programmes.

Posted by Cameron Thomson