Action starts over BBC expenses

A work-to-rule over cuts in expenses payments is set to begin at the BBC.

Instructions issued to all BECTU members in the BBC, except those in Worldwide Ltd, list five forms of action, due to start on Monday February 26.

Letters were sent directly to members after a postal ballot produced an 85% majority in favour of embarking on a work-to-rule.

Read letter to members

The ballot came after the BBC imposed new allowance rules without agreement, which, according to the union, has left thousands of staff worse off when they incur expenses in the course of their work.

Staff could find themselves subsidising the BBC thanks to new restrictions on meal payments, the scrapping of scale rates for meals and overnights, and changes in travel arrangements for staff beginning or ending shifts at times when public transport is unavailable.

Since February 1, when the new system was imposed, members have been engaged in "civil disobedience" based on advice from the union on actions they could take without breaching their contracts.

The completion of the industrial action ballot, and the announcement of official instructions for industrial action, are likely to intensify the difficulties being experienced by BBC management because of staff resistance to the changes.

BECTU had to push hard for any discussions on the new arrangements, which were originally published in September last year, and the BBC eventually made a number of improvements after consultation with the union.

However, the concessions, which included the last-minute re-introduction of lunch payments in some circumstances, were insufficient to convince members that the new rules were acceptable.

Members have had difficulty with two of the BBC's claims about the changes: the Corporations says that the new arrangements are not intended to save money, and are motivated by the need for a single expenses policy across the BBC.

Yet members report that they have consistently lost money since February 1, and the new policy does not cover BBC Worldwide Ltd, nor the BBC's orchestras.

As well as supporting a work-to-rule, the postal ballot also gave the union authority to call strike action. However, there are no plans at present for all-out stoppages.

Letter to members containing industrial action instructions

19th February 2001

TO ALL MEMBERS IN BBC RESOURCES LTD
      ALL MEMBERS IN THE BBC

Dear colleagues,

INDUSTRIAL ACTION INSTRUCTION RE EXPENSES POLICY

The result of the industrial action ballot on the above, which closed on Wednesday 14th February, is as follows:

BBC Resources Ltd
Are you prepared to take part in strike action? YES 519 (65.4%)
NO 274 (34.6%)
Are you prepared to take part in industrial action short of a strike? YES 685 (86.4%)
NO 108 (13.6%)
 
BBC
Are you prepared to take part in strike action? YES 685 (57.1%)
NO 514 (42.9%)
Are you prepared to take part in industrial action short of a strike? YES 1007 (83.4%)
NO 201 (16.6%)
As mentioned in our previous letter to you, we are not proposing to take strike action, but are instructing you take action short of strike action with effect from Monday 26th February as follows:
  1. When away from base members will not work through their meal break rather than taking an hour to have a meal.

  2. If within 5 miles of base, members will not take a meal at the location. They will return to base to use the canteen facilities.

  3. Members will not book their own accommodation.

  4. Members will not use their own car instead of a taxi when on BBC business.

  5. Members will refuse communication with the BBC during their off duty periods.

We have asked the BBC to reconsider their position, and in order to move their hand it is important that all members follow the instructions outlined above.

If you have any queries please get in touch with Luke Crawley or me at BECTU Head Office.

Yours sincerely,

Gerry Morrissey
Assistant General Secretary

22 February 2001