News Broadcasting
BBC staff strike threatens Olympics coverage
MUMBAI: Protesting against the sale of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s technology arm, Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union (Bectu), which represents over 300 staff in the BBC’s technology division, has given a notice of a 48-hour strike starting 30 July. The strike might disrupt the BBC’s coverage of the Olympic games’ opening ceremony.
Bectu has given notice of a 48-hour strike starting next Friday, followed by another one over the sporting weekend of 13 and 14 August.
The trade union’s main concern is potential job cuts, pensions and other conditions for the 1,400 staff after Siemens, the German industrial giant, was named preferred bidder for the division as part of a ?2bn outsourcing contract.
According to reports, although Siemens has offered guarantees on employee conditions, Bectu is demanding that the guarantees be extended from one year to three years. The organisation is also demanding protection for pensions.
