Unions threaten strike over BBC job cuts

Unions including BECTU, the NUJ and Amicus have threatened to ballot their BBC members for strike action unless the corporation immediately halts plans to cut jobs.

On Monday, BBC Director-General Mark Thompson confirmed that 2,050 jobs would be lost in the BBC's public service content and output areas. That number added on to a previously-announced cut of 1,730 jobs in the BBC's professional services division.

"Mark Thompson is out of touch, and has lost the confidence of his staff," said Gerry Morrissey, BECTU's assistant general secretary. "If the BBC fails to consult properly, and presses ahead with compulsory redundancies and privatisation, the unions will lead their members out of the door."

The unions went on to call the job cuts "outrageous" and "politically motivated."