BBC faces strike by Siemens workers

The BBC is in a dispute with Bectu over a pay freeze

Siemens employees working at the BBC have voted for industrial action over a pay freeze.

Members of the Bectu union showed overwhelming support when the ballot was finally closed on Friday. The final result was 80 per cent in favour of strike action.

Bectu has made the BBC aware of the strike action and asked its management team to resume negotiations before setting a date for the strike. The organisations have set 24 March for further talks.

The ongoing dispute between Bectu and the BBC started over a pay claim submitted by the union late last year. The BBC rejected Bectu's proposals, offering a much smaller pay increase in exchange for concessions on performance related pay.

This tender was in turn rejected by Bectu, which opened its ballot box to vote on strike action in late February.

"Our members have clearly demonstrated that this situation is unacceptable, and we are hopeful that by getting back round the table with the employer we can avoid industrial action and reach an amicable settlement," said Bectu national official Suresh Chawla.