BBC notice to union freelance members

BECTU has issued an urgent notice to it's freelance members about the current major disputes with the BBC.

The text of the notice, distributed to all union freelance members, reads as follows:

Urgent notice to all BECTU freelance workers re: BBC Dispute

Following ballots in favour of industrial action over the effect of -

• The BBC's proposals on salary management and new ways of working and the BBC's failure to guarantee job security or provide a minimum of 6 months' salary to fund external training and to meet BECTU's claim for protection of earnings.
• The BBC's proposals to split Resources Directorate into two entities (BBC Resources Ltd and Production Services Division) and the BBC's failure, in respect of the individuals affected, to guarantee job security, protection of earnings and retention of national collective bargaining.

BECTU and AEEU members are engaging in a programme of industrial action. This action is fully supported by BECTU and we urge all freelance members to follow the guidance below, so as not to undermine their BBC colleagues. The creation of BBC Resources Ltd and any deterioration of staff terms and conditions will inevitably lead to a worsening of those for freelance workers.

There are TWO planned 24 hour stoppages on:

THURSDAY 4 JUNE and TUESDAY 9 JUNE 1998.

Guidance to freelance workers who are contracted to work or are offered work by the BBC during this period:-

(1) Freelance workers who are under contract to the BBC should abide by the terms of that contract.

(2) Freelance workers who are not under contract to the BBC or who are offered new contracts are asked to support their colleagues by by refusing to enter into contracts with the BBC where the contract would otherwise require them to work on a day of action or as cover for members taking part in the action. This also applies to offers of contracts by companies where in-house work has been contracted out by the BBC to avoid the effects of the dispute.

(3) Freelance workers on fixed term contracts working full time under BBC staff conditions who have been balloted should take part in the action.

It is intended that there will be further stoppages and you will be kept updated of all developments.

For further information contact Marilyn Goodman at BECTU Head Office