BBC chief seeks union talks to stop strikes

BBC Director-General Mark Thompson is to meet union leaders in an effort to avoid industrial action over his plans to axe up to 6,000 staff.

The Corporation's boss has asked for summit talks next week with broadcast union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists.

It is a clear sign that he fears opposition to his ?355 million budget cuts could lead to strikes.

Union officials warned of a "stormy summer" unless they get a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies.

Unions had issued a deadline, which expired yesterday, for a formal response to their demands.

Bectu's Luke Crawley said: "It's unprecedented for the DG to meet in person union reps. "