Resources Working Time ballot
Following management withdrawal from Working Time Regulation talks an industrial action ballot in BBC Resources has been confirmed.
BBC management have said they consider discussions on the interpretation of the UK Working Time Regulations within the Resources Directorate are now over. Resources management refused an offer from the union of further talks centrally within the BBC.
The union has therefore confirmed it will be running a ballot for BBC Resources union members to stick firmly to Working Time Regulation limits.
On legal advice an industrial action ballot will be held to avoid claims that members will be carrying out unofficial action, although the intended action will consist of working to the union's interpretation of the law.
In a further development over the past few days, BBC management have distributed letters to staff in Resources which, according to the union, are misleading and a potentially illegal interpretation of the Working Time Regulations.
The letters imply that there is a broadcasting derogation that enables management in Resources to effectively ignore the provisions of the Regulations. The derogation actually refers to continuity of production requirements, and BBC management outside of Resources have accepted this will only be invoked in special circumstances.
The union's key demands in BBC Resources are that compensatory rest, given for infringing rest periods, is given as genuine time off; and that staff on Hours and Days Conditions of Service are treated equally under the Regulations.
Until the result of the ballot is known members in BBC Resources should work as scheduled, but inform the union of infringements of the Working Time Regulations when:
- there is less than an 11 hour break between turns of duty
- one day off in seven has not be given
- more than an average of 48 hours per week has been worked over a 17 week period
It is expected that arrangements for the ballot will be announced on 7 July.