The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) today revealed that negotiations with bosses at the company had failed and industrial action would take place unless it reconsiders its stance on the job losses.

Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary at the NUJ, unveiled discoveries that indicate BBC Scotland had been advertising jobs externally, while the in-house roles were to be cut.

“The BBC is prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies rather than secure redeployment opportunities for those at risk. This demonstrates the significant failures of some managers to uphold key aspects of the redeployment agreement, let alone the spirit of the deal,” she said.

However, Ms Stanistreet stressed that the NUJ seeks to resolve the issue in “meaningful” negotiations and has planned meetings with managers at the corporation.

The redundancies are being enacted as part of the BBC’s Delivering Quality First programme, which aims to cut more than 2,000 jobs in an effort to reduce costs.

In a letter sent to members of the union at the BBC, Ms Stanistreet outlined a recent victory at the corporation, in which former employee Russell Maddicks won his tribunal case for unfair dismissal.

“Like many other colleagues, Russell was forced out on compulsory redundancy despite there being other jobs and other available opportunities in the BBC. Don’t let the BBC treat other members in the same way,” she said.

Image used courtesy of Gordon Bell / Shutterstock.com.

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Former BBC presenter Stuart Hall has been charged with rape and 14 counts of indecent assault.

The 83-year old from Cheshire is alleged to have raped a 22-year-old woman in 1976. Fourteen incidents of indecent assault are also said to have taken place between 1967 and 1986 on 10 girls between the ages of nine and 16.

Hall had already been charged with three counts of indecent assault against young girls in the 1970s and 80s, which he denied at a court hearing earlier this month.

A statement from Lancashire Constabulary read:

“Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service an 83-year-old man has this evening (Tuesday, January 22nd) been charged with one offence of rape and 14 offences of indecent assault.

“Stuart Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, was arrested this morning after attending a police station in the county by appointment.”

Having worked for over half a century in British broadcasting, Hall was best known for his work on hit 1970s TV show It’s A Knockout.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2012 Queen’s New Year Honours and was still contributing regularly to BBC Radio 5 Live until very recently.

Mr Hall is due to appear before Preston magistrates on February 7^th.

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