BBC Radio OBs settle pay dispute

Members working in outside broadcasts for BBC Radio have settled their long running pay dispute.

A ballot which closed yesterday (Wednesday) registered a 72% vote in favour of management’s proposals; 28% of members voted against. Turnout in the ballot was high at 78%.

As a result of the agreement, new rates will be applied to OB engineer pay bands and a more acceptable approach to career progression will be introduced.

The long running dispute had threatened to disrupt BBC Radio’s coverage of the Beijing Olympics until a deal was done which committed both sides to more talks and, ultimately, to reference to binding arbitration in the event that those talks failed.