Unions give BBC strike ballot deadline

The three biggest broadcasting unions, Bectu, Amicus and the NUJ, have told the BBC to issue a three-month moratorium on redundancy plans or face a strike ballot on 4 April, reports BBC News.

"There is a strong feeling of anger among staff over these job losses," said Gerry Morrissey, assistant general secretary of Bectu.

"They believe the director general has lost touch with what should happen at the BBC.

"A lot of these decisions appear to be politically motivated and the director general, chairman and BBC governors have decided to beat themselves up before the government does so."

Unions have warned the BBC could face "severe" industrial unrest over the massive job cuts announced last December and earlier this week.