BBC journalists plan to strike over pensions

The NUJ said today that its members at the BBC will strike after 70% of them rejected the corporation’s latest pension proposals in a ballot.

Union reps have agreed plans for a series of strikes and other industrial action, including a threat of a walkout at Christmas.

NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear said:“This massive vote against the BBC’s latest proposal comes as no surprise, given the fundamental ‘pay more – work longer - get less’ nature of the offer. NUJ members across the BBC have consistently dubbed the proposals a ‘pensions robbery’. That hasn’t changed. The BBC have now left members with no choice but to take action to defend their pensions.

"Under the proposals people will be much poorer in retirement and the value of their pensions will be threatened every year by inflation. Staff are angry at continued management excess, believe they have been sold down the river in recent negotiations with the government and refuse to pay with their jobs and their pensions”.

NUJ members will strike for 48 hours on 5 and 6 November and 15 and 16 November with further dates to be named in the coming days. Union members will also refuse to take on additional duties or volunteer for acting up duties as part of an indefinite work to rule.In an email to staff, the BBC said it was "pleased" that members of the broadcasting union Bectu had accepted the offer. It added: "We urge the NUJ to reconsider its position in relation to the joint union result."