Siemens strike action vote

Siemens staff working on BBC contracts have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action in response to a below-inflation pay offer.

In the ballot result, announced today, staff from the Siemens companies SIS and SECL voted by 73.9% and 85.7% to take strike action.

Union officials said Siemens members were "outraged" that Siemens should offer a pay rise of 2.5% in SIS and 3% in SECL when both companies have told staff meetings that they are financially healthy.

Siemens SIS recently announced that it is on target to hit its profit target of 5% for this year.

BECTU Assistant General Secretary Luke Crawley commented: "The ballot result should send a clear message to both companies that BECTU members will not accept a below inflation pay offer.

"Members are clearly determined to take strike action if necessary in pursuit of a fair settlement, particularly in light of the improvements in earnings by both companies."

Siemens SIS looks after BBC broadcast technology and projects including IT, broadcast critical data and the Corporation's internet and intranet servers; whilst SECL runs the BBC's telephone exchange system. Both were formerly in BBC Technology until it was sold to Siemens in 2004.

Members of PCS (Public and Commercial Services union), which organises ex-civil servants who work in other parts of Siemens SIS, are also balloting their members on a similar below-inflation offer.

Their ballot closes on Monday 25 June and a similar result is expected.

Following the ballot result BECTU will be liasing with PCS about coordinating tactics.