BBC strike goes ahead

Members of the Broadcasting union, BECTU, employed in the BBC will be commencing a twenty-four hour stoppage at midnight tonight.

The stoppage is expected to interfere with all live programming on radio and television over the next day, as well as stopping the shooting of soaps such as "Eastenders" and future drama productions. 69% of BECTU members across the BBC voted in favour of strike action last month and 73% of Resources members also voted for strike action.

The dispute centres on three issues:

  • Resources Limited The BBC's proposal to put four and a half thousand Resources staff into a wholly-owned subsidiary from 1st July. This proposal needs the approval of the Secretary of State, Chris Smith, and the union is led to believe that the proposal is now with the Office of Fair Trading. BECTU claims this proposal is a prelude to full privatisation.

  • Salary Management The union accuses the BBC of depressing salaries since the withdrawal of the incremental structure in 1994 and now wants to see guarantees for stag on salary expectations after five years' service,

  • Multiskilling The BBC want to introduce new ways of working across all areas of the organisation, including News and Production. The unions are prepared to talk about these new ways of working but only if there are guarantees on job security and protection of earnings.

Gerry Morrissey, Broadcasting Supervisory Official for BECTU, said: "BBC staff have voted in unprecedented numbers to take strike action, and despite giving the BBC nearly two weeks to reopen negotiations they have not done so. I expect major support for our day of action as members are aware that this is about the future of the BBC and their future employment prospects."

For further information contact: Gerry Morrissey on 0850 317 866 or website http://www.bectu.org.uk or INFOLINE 0181 914 7578

[Text of BECTU Press Release issued 03.06.1998]

3 June 1998