BBC strike threat lifted in pensions row

The threat of more strikes at the BBC appears to have been lifted, after management and trade unions reached an "agreement in principle" to resolve the pensions scheme row.

Last week, the BBC and broadcasting unions took the dispute to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) in an attempt to gain some common ground.

Talks were held yesterday at Acas between the BBC and unions, including the National Union Journalists (NUJ), which had called off a planned strike on November 15 and 16 to return to the negotiating table.

The dispute stems from the BBC's proposal to cap pensionable pay at 1% from next April as it attempts to tackle the pensions scheme deficit, which is estimated at around £1.5bn.

To avert the threat of more strikes, the BBC has agreed for the career-average benefit (CAB) pension - based on an employee's average salary over their entire career - to be uprated by up to 4% each year, rather than the previous offer of 2.5%.

It is understood that the increase will take place each year for the next six years, and staff will only get less than 4% if the rate of inflation is lower.

The NUJ said that the agreement would be considered by its members on Friday. If accepted, it will bring to an end a five-month dispute over the pension scheme changes, which saw journalists and newsreaders stage a 48-hour walkout earlier this month.

In an e-mail to staff, the BBC's head of personnel Lucy Adams said: "We are pleased to say that discussions on behalf of the joint unions and the BBC reached a conclusion and an agreement in principle was signed by the joint unions on this final outstanding point.

"We now expect to move towards finalising our proposals and will keep you updated in the next few weeks."