BBC Scotland accused of intimidation as NUJ disputes latest redundancy process
BBC Scotland has been accused of intimidation as the NUJ enters into dispute over the current ongoing redundancy process.
The dispute could potentially lead to strike action with only two of 17 proposed voluntary redundancies within its news team thought to have come forward.
The Drum understands that NUJ Scotland organiser Paul Holleran has written to BBC Scotland’s head of HR Wendy Aslett to state that its opposition to the Selection for Retention process has been placed into dispute.
In all, BBC Scotland is aiming to make 35 redundancies, half of which will come from within the news and current team, six in marketing and communications and two in new media, as part of a £16.1m cost cutting process.
The letter, seen by The Drum, highlights the agreed motion that “this chapel has no faith in the Selection for Retention process, believes members are being intimidated and move to put the process to formal dispute.”
The NUJ has also called on all interviews around the process to be put on hold until a ‘fair’ system is put in place.
A spokesperson for BBC Scotland said; "We recognise that our savings targets are challenging and we're committed to achieving as many as possible through voluntary means. We've had a number of constructive meetings with unions and we believe that our process is fair and reasonable. We have offered to meet union representatives again this week to discuss their concerns."