Siemens offer accepted

BECTU members in Siemens working on BBC contracts have voted by 95% to accept an improved pay offer.

Members in both Siemens SIS and SECL have voted in a ballot to accept a two year offer of 4% this year, with a minimum increase of £1,000, and 2.15% for 2008.

This improved on the previous offers of 2.5% in SIS and 3% in SECL for 2007 following a successful ballot for industrial action, carried out in conjunction with PCS, the other union in SIS.

The package, which is similar to that recently agreed by BBC and BBC Resources members, also includes significant improvements for lower-paid staff and the deferral of a planned increase in pension contributions.

The improvements are identical for SIS and SECL, except for reassurances on the introduction of a performance management process SECL.

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.