Legal threat cancels BBCT strike

A threat of legal action from the BBC has forced BECTU to cancel industrial action in BBC Technology.

The cancellation of action planned for 13/14 August 2004, over the proposed sale of BBC Technology to Siemens, came after the BBC threatened to take BECTU to court.

According to BBC lawyers, an offer on terms and conditions for staff affected by the sale was good enough to satisfy the union's demands, and any strike action would need to be preceded by a new industrial action ballot of union members in BBC Technology.

BECTU's own legal advisers recommended that, although members had not yet finished voting on whether or not they were willing to accept the offer, the BBC's threat was serious, and the union should therefore drop any plans for a strike beginning on 13 August.

Even if members have voted to reject the offer by the time the consultative ballot closes on 12 August, there will be no strike on the following day.

However industrial action could still take place in BBC Technology.

BECTU officials are currently drawing up a list of other issues, detailing provisions or benefits currently available to BBCT staff, which the union believes should be continued if the Siemens privatisation goes ahead.

This list is planned to be submitted to the BBC at the end of this week - if the Corporation refuses to meet the demands, then a further industrial action ballot could be held.

Members with issues they believe ought to be on the list should send their views to BECTU, subject "BBCT issues list", by 0800 Friday 6 August 2004 at the latest.

BECTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said: "There are still a significant number of issues unresolved between BECTU and the Corporation concerning BBC Technology which, if not resolved, will lead to a further ballot for industrial action".