Industrial action instruction to BECTU members working in BBC Resources

This instruction was issued as part of a dispute with BBC Resources over the interpretation of the European Working Time Directive. It is, in effect, an instruction to work to rule by adhering strictly to the legal rest breaks and scheduling limits laid down in the Directive.

The ballot closed today with a majority in favour of taking industrial action. This is formal notice that the action should begin on Tuesday 17th August 1999. The action should take the following form:

1. Members will take an 11 hour break between turns of duty;
2. Members will always take one day off in 7 unless they are on a fixed rota pattern that has been agreed with BECTU;
3. Members will work no more than an average of 48 hours per week over a 17 week period;
4. unless there is a prior agreement with BECTU, members will not agree to any "Special Case Derogations" (the broadcast derogation or the foreseeable and unforeseeable surges of activity clauses referred to in the Working Time Directive);
5. Travelling time in excess of normal home to base, to be treated as Working Time (this is in the BBC Agreed Statement);
6. Standby to be treated as Working Time;
7. Members should not sign individual opt outs.

Luke Crawley
Supervisory Official

Issued 10 August 1999