Bectu Criticises BBC Olympic Volunteer Scheme

An independent trade union for those working in broadcasting has slammed the BBC for asking staff to volunteer for production roles during the Olympics.
BECTU is insisting that all BBC staff working on the Olympics should be paid after news emerged of management plans to recruit additional effort on the basis that staff either volunteer or take annual leave.
The BBC will play a key role in the Olympics London 2012 which will be the centrepiece of a festival running from 21 June - 9 Sepember.
The scheme, which was not discussed with BECTU, offers staff "the chance to apply for volunteering opportunities on many of the BBC's 2012 events and activities across the country in areas such as Radio 1's Hackney Weekend, Music Nation and the Torch Relay."
Helen Ryan, supervisory official for the union's BBC membership, has raised BECTU's concerns.
She said: " .... we do not believe that it is acceptable for the BBC to look for people to volunteer to work on the Olympics both for free and in their own time.
"We believe that the BBC should be hiring and paying people to do the work required on the Olympics and that it is completely unacceptable for the BBC to try and get people to volunteer for unpaid work. We are formally asking the BBC to stop seeking volunteers."
The BBC has so far refused to cease recruitment but formal discussions are scheduled.

(LB)