Massive strike vote in BBC News

BECTU members in BBC TV News in London have voted by more than 90% for strikes over new rotas.

Out of almost 100 members in news production facilities, 67 returned voting papers, with 62 in favour of industrial action.

Union representatives are due to meet on November 6 to decide what form the action will take, with an initial 12-hour stoppage likely to be announced, followed by further strikes of varying duration.

Members in news production facilities provide much of the technical back-up needed to transmit programmes like News 24 and the BBC's three daily flagship bulletins, and industrial action is likely to have an effect on output.

The dispute that led to the strike ballot centres on new rotas and scheduling practices that BBC News is planning to force onto staff in January 2007.

Management say the changes are necessary to cover the full range of BBC TV News programmes with lower staffing levels, after several dozen technical staff left due a value-for-money savings drive.

Staff who remain are expected to work more days each month, and accept rota changes at short notice. The scheduling changes have provoked an angry reaction among union members, and officials were expecting a large majority in favour of industrial action in the ballot.

BECTU Supervisory Offical Luke Crawley said: "The size of the 'Yes' vote for strike action is letting BBC News know how angry our members are about these enforced changes. The strikes when they come will be well supported and are likely to cause severe problems for the output of TV News."

Any industrial action has to be taken within four weeks of the ballot result being announced, and under UK labour laws, 7 days' notice must be given of stoppages.

Further information from Luke Crawley 07736 058720.