Staff at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will be balloted for industrial strike action by staff unions following BBC managers’ refusal to withdraw plans to implement a one per cent cap on pensionable pay, says the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

NUJ broadcasting organiser, Sue Harris, said BBC management had shown “complete contempt” for its staff when faced with a clear message from employees attending the series of consultative meetings that have taken place in the last two weeks.

Harris said staff unions have repeatedly been called on to ballot for industrial action should the BBC choose to go ahead with “a blatant pensions robbery”.

“Staff across the country are already incensed at the proposals and will be even more furious now, particularly given the revelation this week that BBC deputy director general Mark Byford trousers a staggering £400,000 a year in pension payments. It’s hypocrisy, pure and simple.”

Bectu and Unite will, along with the NUJ meet with BBC managers during the statutory consultation period, which runs until 30 September, in an effort to convince the BBC to withdraw its proposals and start dialogue with staff unions over alternative ways of bridging the current pensions deficit.

“We’re obviously disappointed, but not entirely surprised, that the BBC is taking such a hard line over this issue,” added Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ deputy general secretary.

“Without question, the government is paying extremely close attention to the development of this dispute, given their plans for wholesale pensions reform across the public sector.

The NUJ will do everything possible to defend the hard-earned pension rights of BBC staff.”

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