Strikes at AP called off as management agrees to talks

Two days of strike action have been called off at Associated Press (AP) and Associated Press Television News (APTN) as the press agency’s management agreed to talk to the unions about changes to its pension deal. The first of the strikes was due to start on Monday, followed by a 24-hour strike on Saturday, June 16. The NUJ and Bectu unions had said further days could be announced at a later date and members had not ruled out taking action during the Olympics. Following the eleventh-hour intervention by management, the NUJ said: “The NUJ is pleased that AP management has agreed to enter into meaningful talks over pension provision at the company. On the basis of these talks, which will begin next week, the joint unions have agreed to call off the planned strike action." The unions believed the changes to the pension provision proposed were unfair and had been made without adequate consultation and balloted for industrial action.  Among NUJ members at APTN there was a 100% cent vote for strike action and at AP 87.5%. The turnout was 79.5% at APTN and 80% at AP.  There was an 88% vote for strike action among Bectu members at APTN. NUJ .