Dates set for BBC strike action

BECTU's BBC members have voted for industrial action in two ballots which were announced on May 17, and the union is planning to start its campaign of action with two stoppages in early June.

Go to press release

A meeting of BBC branch delegates in Manchester on May 17 decided to call all BBC members out for 24-hour stoppages on June 4 and June 9. The decision came after ballot results which exceeded the predictions of observers, and, in the view of union negotiators, dashed BBC claims that the management were in touch with the views of the workforce.

In the first ballot, covering all BBC members, over 69% voted to take strike action in support of union demands for improvements in the Corporation's salary management system, and better treatment of staff affected by multi-skilling.

In the second ballot, conducted only amongst members working in the BBC's Resources Directorate, over 73% voted for industrial action in protest at possible cuts in terms and conditions if the Directorate is converted into a Limited company.

The ballots were conducted by the Electoral Reform Society, and the formal announcement sets the clock ticking on a four-week period in which the first action must be taken under UK labour laws.

More ballot results are expected later in the month, when the AEEU electricians' union reveals the outcome of its poll of BBC members.

BECTU notified the BBC of the ballot results on the day they were announced, leaving open the possibility of further negotiations before June 4.

Ballot results

Multi-skilling and salary management dispute (all BBC members)
Will you take strike action?

Papers issued 6,068
Papers returned 2,762 46%
Spoilt papers 2
YES 1,892 69%
NO 868 31%

BBC Resources Limited - terms and conditions (Members in BBC Resources only)
Will you take strike action?

Papers issued 3,491
Papers returned 1,705 49%
Spoilt papers 2
YES 1,237 73%
NO 466 27%

Text of press release issued on 17 May 1998

Union votes for BBC national strike

In a double blow against BBC management, BECTU members have voted by a large majority, in two separate ballots, for national strike action. All BECTU members at the BBC were ballotted over the corporation's multiskilling and salary management proposals, while members across the country working in the Resources Directorate had a second ballot over the setting up of Resources Ltd.

In the BBC-wide ballot, 69% of those voting supported strike action, and in the Resources ballot there was an even bigger majority - a massive 73% in favour.

Negotiations on the two issues had been held in parallel over several months but both broke down in April. BECTU Broadcasting Supervisory Official Gerry Morrissey commented: "This decisive vote for strike action demonstrates the strength of opposition within the BBC to the internal market and its knock-on effects on staff. The proposals as they stand will cause serious damage to members' pay and jobs - and even more damage to the corporation itself and public service broadcasting in this country. Over the last 10 years in the BBC the only security has been insecurity. Our members have great loyalty to public service broadcasting but have had enough of their managers attacking their jobs and their earning power while the managers themselves enjoy all the trappings of the 1990s fat cats."

The union's demands are:

  • a fair aind transparent salary structure where members are rewarded on their ability to undertake the job and not on their local region's ability to pay;
  • job security: the unions have negotiated several thousand redundancies in the past six years. However, many of those jobs have been replaced by lower paid staff on temporary contracts.

Gerry Morrissey added: "The BBC's use of redundancy as a method of achieving pay cuts and an insecure workforce has been disgraceful. This ballot result demonstrates that our members want to see an end to it."

The Resources ballot result comes as the BBC awaits the decision of Secretary of State Chris Smith on whether the incorporation of Resources can go ahead. BECTU is concerned that the BBC are using this proposal as a ramp for privatisation and has urged Chris Smith to stop any such attempts.

The union is also opposing management proposals to have separate collective bargaining arrangements for the incorporated company. The union has demanded from the BBC that if Resources sets up as a wholly-owned subsidiary then the staff's terms and conditions should be protected for five years.

Gerry Morrissey said: "It is clear that the management within Resources intends to attack members' terms and conditions in order to reduce their earnings while management's remuneration package continues to expand.

"Our members are determined to defend the BBC from its own management. They will not allow the corporation to ditch its programme-making capabilities to become a Channel 4-style operator."

BECTU is now planning the strike action, which may take the form of a series of one-day stoppages. While the dates are still to be confirmed, the targets will include Wimbledon, Royal Ascot, EastEnders, major dramas and all live events such as the National Lottery.

The unions have made clear to the BBC that they are available for talks and want a negotiated settlement - however, management must address the concerns of its workers - job security, protection of earnings and collective bargaining.

ENDS

Issued by BECTU Press Office. For further information contact BECTU head office on 0171 437 8506.

Sunday 17 May 1998

17 May 1998