BBC unions claim they've won key improvements

These are some of the key improvements broadcasting unions representing BBC staff claim to have won in the dispute over pensions and why next week's planned strike action, which could have blacked out part of the Tory party conference, has been called off.

• Reduce employee contributions in CAB 2011 [the proposed new career average pension scheme] from 7% to 6%.
  
• The lower of CPI and 4% for pensions in payment in CAB 2011.
  
• The lower of CPI and 4% for revaluation in CAB 2011.
  
• Redundancy measures: The new proposals also include important new measures to provide staff facing compulsory redundancy with time to identify alternative employment in the BBC.
  
• Pay review : On the 2010/11 pay review, the proposals restate the earlier offer – a £475 flat rate increase applicable to all staff earning up to £37,726 – and confirm the intention to backdate payment to 1 August 2010.
• A commitment to revisit elements of the pension reform proposals in the event the pension deficit in the April 2010 valuation (to be finalised and communicated no later than 30 June 2011) falls and stays below £1billion (before pension reform changes are factored in).

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear (top) said: "Given the outrage the BBC's pensions proposals have caused, which staff have consistently viewed as a pensions robbery, we're obviously pleased that the BBC have seen fit to table an improved offer, rather than face strike action. Clearly, the determination of staff at the BBC to fight to defend their pensions has forced a rethink on the part of the BBC's management."

• After further consultation with the BBC next week, the unions will run consultative ballots amongst their members to decide whether the improved offer is sufficient to resolve the long running dispute. Plans for the strikes scheduled on 19 and 20 October will be reviewed once members have voted.