Ballot on BBC's 2.6% offer
BECTU members in the BBC have begun balloting on the Corporation's 1999 pay offer of a 2.6% rise.
Ballot papers are due to be posted on 20 May, and the ballot closes on 9 June; members of NUJ and AEEU are also due to be balloted.
The unions are making no recommendation on the way that members should vote in the ballots, however the offer is described as "the best that can be achieved through negotiation" in a letter which accompanies the ballot papers.
The 2.6% increase, which includes a guaranteed minimum rise of £500 for each member of staff, will be applied to basic pay rates, and all associated allowances including UPAs and London Weighting.
As well as the pay increase, the offer contains proposals on several non-pay issues. These include a new code of practice on sick pay, an extension of the pension scheme special discount arrangements and the 5-month notice period of redundancies, more money for training, and a promise that pay bargaining for staff in Resources Directorate will not be split away from the main BBC pay round next year, without full talks with the unions first.
Read sick pay code of practice
In addition, the BBC has committed itself to Directorate level discussions on the use of fixed term contracts, with a common agenda set by unions and management at Corporate level.
In presenting the pay offer, the BBC said it had taken account of the Licence Fee review which is being conducted by the government, and the rate of inflation - currently 1.6%. The union claim this year was for a substantial increase above inflation.
The unions have reminded BBC management of the anger still simmering amongst staff following John Birt's 9.2% pay rise last year, which sparked industrial action.
The 2.6% rise will take effect from 1 August, if members accept the proposals. If BECTU members vote to reject the 2.6% offer, the next move will be decided on 14 June by a meeting of BBC delegates attending the union's Annual Conference.