Union representatives of BBC staff have warned the Corporation’s managers that unless they give a guarantee by 21 July that the value of pensions already earned will be protected, and plans to force through amendments to the staff pension scheme dropped, thousands of BBC staff will strike.

The warning comes in the form of a letter addressed to head of employee relations, Diane Dumas, and follows the BBC’s announcement that it plans to cap pensionable pay at one per cent from April 2011, and to revalue pensions at a lower level, which unions say would devalue pensions already earned.

Other changes would see those who are promoted unable to count their full pay rise towards their pension.

“This is nothing short of a pensions robbery which has provoked unprecedented anger and resentment amongst staff across the BBC,” commented National Union of Journalists (NUJ) general secretary, Jeremy Dear. “While managers can look forward to gold-plated pensions, thousands of BBC staff will be left significantly worse off in retirement. The BBC has broken its promises to staff and is undermining the value of people’s pensions. The BBC must withdraw these proposals or face the prospect of widespread strike action and industrial unrest over the coming months.”

He added that the NUJ remains committed to negotiating a settlement to address the pensions shortfall that the BBC faces. However, this should not be at the expense of the value of pensions already earned, he said.

The letter sent to Dumas states that the BBC’s proposals regarding the pension scheme are “unfair”, particularly as it forces the burden of the deficit on BBC scheme members. “Now that there is a deficit in the scheme we believe that the BBC should be meeting the majority of the burden, however we accept that members will also have to make a contribution probably through reduced benefits.

The letter, which is co-signed by the NUJ, BECTU and Unite, states that the joint unions are looking for a “constructive dialogue with the BBC regarding all options available to address the pension deficit. Meaningful consultation can only happen if the BBC agrees to withdraw their proposals in their entirety and therefore protect the value of accrued pensions.”

A BBC spokesperson told Pensions Age: “We know that staff have concerns about the proposed changes to the pension scheme, and we will listen and try to address these during the consultation period.”

They added that there is a three month consultation period, ending 30 September, during which the BBC will have over 120 face to face sessions with senior managers, who will feed back staff opinions and concerns, and a live phone in as well as making a TV programme for internal use.

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