News Strikes Called Off As BBC Agree Talks

Trade union Bectu has called off strikes in BBC news this week after an offer of reconciliatory talks from management.
Strikes were due on November 23 and 24 as part of a continuing industrial action campaign against rota changes.
Members in News Production Facilities, who provide engineering and IT backup for BBC TV News programmes, walked out for 24 hours last week in response to a management announcement that new rotas would take effect from January.
On November 22, the BBC approached BECTU and agreed to defer the target date for the changes in order to hold urgent negotiations where management will 'aim to match the needs of staff with the needs of the business'.
Discussions are due to begin at 10:30 on Friday November 24, but the union has warned that further strike dates could be named if no progress is made at the meeting.
Supervisory Official Luke Crawley said: "We welcome the offer of talks. If the BBC are serious we will try to reach agreement on the rota changes if they are not then more strikes will take place."
The BBC have not yet released a statement.
(DS)