Strike looms in BBC Resources

Union members working in BBC London Resources have voted for strike action against cuts in jobs and pay.

In a ballot which closed on November 17, strike action was supported by 74% of members voting in TV Studios, Post-Production and Graphics, and Outside Broadcasts, and a majority of 88% also voted for a work to rule.

The ballot came after talks on compulsory redundancies and changes in conditions of service for more than 1,000 BBC staff in the department broke down without agreement. Management warned that they would go ahead with the changes, part of a £12m savings package, on January 1 2001, and issued notice of compulsory redundancy to more than 40 staff.

Although the cuts proposals had been modified during three months of talks, union representatives were unable to achieve a revised package of changes that would be acceptable to members.

BBC Resources management have been told the outcome of the ballot, and the union is waiting for their response. Under UK labour laws, industrial action has to be taken within four weeks of the ballot announcement, otherwise a re-ballot is obligatory.

While BECTU would be willing to resume negotiations in the hope of reaching an agreed settlement, plans are being prepared for strike action before the legal deadline expires.