1997 BBC pay claim

This year's BBC pay and conditions claim includes a pay increase no less than the average across industry at the time of settlement.

The joint unions pay claim is expressed in terms of average pay settlements elsewhere in industry - a departure from the usual claim for a rise related to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

This takes account of the growing gap between RPI, currently standing at 2.7%, and the level of pay increases across the UK, which in January stood at 5% year on year.

The claim by BECTU, NUJ and AEEU also features demands for a better deal for contract staff, consistent childcare policy across the Corporation, the performance pay budget to go into the general pay rise, and a review of the grading system.

Highlights of the 1997 BBC claim by BECTU, NUJ and AEEU are:

• Pay increase no less than the average rise across industry: In recent years the BBC salary increases of either below or marginally above inflation have meant that pay rates have fallen behind industry generally - therefore the claim is for a pay increase in line with the average pay settlement at the time negotiations are concluded.
• No performance pay (PRP) except for growth in the job and increments: The unions want to see all available funds being put into an across the board percentage pay award, and can see no reason why any of this budget should be put into performance related increases.
• Fair and transparent growth in the job: The unions are extremely concerned with the way this has been implemented, and are therefore proposing the fully competent salaries on a category by category basis, along with the timescale for getting to that level, are provided to the unions.
• Unfreezing of the salary entry point for each grade: The BBC last year unilaterally froze the lowest entry points for each grade - if this continues it would lead to a widening of the grades and a position where there would be financial advantage for the BBC in ensuring a high turnover of staff.
• Permanent posts for staff with more than two years on fixed-term contracts: The use of these contracts in the BBC has long gone beyond their original intention, with some areas employing almost half of their staff on non-continuing contracts - with the BBC's future now more secure following the license fee settlement the unions are seeking to similarly secure the future of those on fixed-term contracts of two years' or more service.
• Consolidation of continuing allowances for pension purposes: The unions position has not changed since the last pay claim - Unpredictability Allowances should be consolidated for pensionable purposes.
• Consistent policy for childcare across the BBC: Over the past few years the BBC's commitment to working parents has been watered down, and provisions withdrawn, with the devolving of responsibility down to Directorates - the unions are seeking the development of a childcare policy which is equitable across the Corporation.

BECTU official Gerry Morrissey commented: "The BBC has made significant productivity savings from our members in recent years and in return the unions are this year asking for fair pay for all staff and similarly we are asking for the uncertainty created with fixed-term contracts to be minimized."