Getting the shivers

It's going to be cold and frosty in more ways than one for BBC DG Mark Thompson in Birmingham today; -2c as I write, feeling like -5c in the wind. He's visiting the Mailbox for the first time since network production teams (excluding The Archers and tv drama) were told of a dispersal plan that would see those that survive DQF heading to Bristol.

There's been movement on both sides since a 24 hour strike on January 18.  BECTU is now talking about delaying the first moves, rather than blocking them altogether; and will sit down to talks with management on Thursday next week. The timing of the talks - a date presumably suggested by BBC Director of Business Operations Lucy Adams - will allow Thommo to say to staff today he's looking for "resolution".

The management side have used "Net Present Value" calculations to say the strategy will save £500k a year for each of the next five years. That's the equivalent of closing ten posts - a measly result in DQF terms for such a huge rigmarole. Staff should ask Thommo for the comparative NPV of losing ten posts and staying in Birmingham.

• The cold weather is making BBC staff at MediaCityUK realise there's a severe lack of coat hooks in their shiny new home.  The same thing happened in CNN's first winter in Atlanta.