Bush journalists strike on November 25
NUJ members at BBC Bush House start a 2-day stoppage at 1600 on Saturday November 25.
Their action is in support of a claim for improvements in scheduling and payment of night shifts for staff in the BBC's World Service newsroom.
BECTU members in Bush House newsroom have been advised by the union to work normally, although they may join in future stoppages following their strike ballot which closed today (November 24).
The union balloted 26 newsroom staff who are members of BECTU - 11 forms were returned of which 9 were in favour of strike action. Because UK labour laws require seven days' notice of intended strike action, BECTU members will not legally be able to join in the two day stoppage, but could take part in any future action called by the NUJ.
Consultation with members in the area is underway, and the union expects to notify the BBC formally about any future action by Wednesday November 29.
Until then, BECTU has pledged to support any members who observe NUJ picket lines, but has warned them that they should work normally, while refusing to undertake any task that would normally be done by an NUJ colleague.
Read letter of advice to members
The NUJ's claim for better treatment on night shifts was originally part of this years annual pay claim, supported by all the BBC's recognised unions.
After being rejected by central management, journalists in Bush House re-tabled the demand locally, where it was rejected once again.
Included in the demand are:
- an increase from £46 to £100 in payment for a full night shift;
- a reduction in the working week to 35 hours for night workers;
- exemption from night work for staff over 50 years old, unless they volunteer.
BBC management have dismissed the NUJ claim as "unrealistic", and have warned that they intend to maintain normal service as far as possible while newsroom journalists are on strike.
Foreign language services are not directly affected by the action, but English language World Service broadcasts could be hit.
Advice to BECTU members working at Bush House
This weekend the NUJ will be on strike for 48 hours from 1600 on Saturday 25th until 1600 on Monday 27th and this note is to advise you what you, as a BECTU member, should do.
John Fray, the Assistant General Secretary of the NUJ, has written to BECTU requesting that BECTU members should not carry out any of the duties currently performed by NUJ members. The NUJ are not asking BECTU members to observe their picket lines.
Because of the legislation BECTU is forced to point out to its members that because they have not been balloted they should work normally while taking care not to do any work normally done by NUJ colleagues.
There are members who may not want to cross a picket line and they need to know that they face the possibility of dismissal since, without an industrial action ballot, they are not protected by the law.
However BECTU's position is clear and it is that if members do refuse to cross the picket line and the BBC takes action against them, BECTU will provide them with full support under rule. That means that if they are disciplined by the BBC we will accompany them to any interviews. If they are dismissed we will provide them with support at any further hearings that would get them their job back.
BECTU may also organise industrial action ballots in support of anyone sacked by the BBC subject to the legislation.
This advice also applies to those members working in the Bush House Newsroom who have been balloted, with the result being known tomorrow, 24th November. Because the law requires seven clear days notice they cannot take action until Saturday 2nd December.
Other groups of members at Bush may want to submit a similar claim over nightworking and BECTU will obviously progress these claims, but until talks with the BBC are exhausted and a ballot held then there would be no protection for anyone taking industrial action.
Luke Crawley
Supervisory Official
BBC Division