BBC workers to strike in pensions row
Thousands of BBC staff members are set to stage two 48-hour strikes in a row over controversial plans for changes to their pensions – that could interrupt coverage of key political events.
The provisional walkout dates by programme makers, technicians and journalists could hit coverage of the Conservative Party Conference on the fifth and sixth of October and again a fortnight later when the governments Spending Review is published.
The Unions involved are to hold further talks with their members in the next few weeks.
The BBC announced plans in June to overhaul its pension scheme in a bid to tackle a £2bn deficit, with changes that included capping pensionable pay growth at 1 per cent from April 2011, regardless of changes in earnings.
The corporation offered further concessions today, in a bid to avoid strike action. Setting out its offer on its website, the BBC said under the new plan, pensions would be based on average pay over a career, and would reflect fully any future pay rises.
However, employees will have to work to the age of 65 rather than 60, the BBC said. Staff will also have to put a greater proportion of their salary into a pension pot.
The BBC said in a statement that it was “disappointed” after the unions rejected proposals and called for strikes.
It said: “We believe our pension proposals address concerns raised by staff and that they should now have the opportunity to fully consider and explore them within the context of an ongoing consultation rather than the threat of a strike.”
The action was announced by Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Unite, who will consult with their members over the next few weeks before meeting on October 1 to decide whether to press ahead with the strikes.
Gerry Morrissey, Bectu’s general secretary, said: “Whilst the BBC has heard and responded to some of our concerns, we are disappointed that the BBC’s response fails to take account of the long-term implications of the worsening of pension terms for staff and their families.
“We believe that the BBC should be prepared to justify its position fully by agreeing to revisit pension benefits in April 2011, should official figures confirm that the total scheme deficit is less than £1.5 bn. That said, the latest proposals from the BBC warrant further detailed examination with members.”
Jeremy Dear, NUJ general secretary said: “The BBC’s continued insistence that staff pay much more for significantly worse benefits is unacceptable. We will be taking the union’s case for fair pensions to a series of members’ meetings across the UK.
“If the BBC fails to listen to the continued anger of staff at these unacceptable pensions changes, we will be left with no choice but to strike to stop the pensions robbery.
“Our strong and determined stand against the BBC’s pensions robbery has resulted in today’s proposals. We continue to believe they are unacceptable and unfair.
“We will consult with members, give the BBC the chance to address our ongoing concerns. If they fail to do so, they will face strike action.”