Bectu to hold strike ballot for ntl employees

Bectu members working in transmission for television, radio and the emergency services are to vote on industrial action.
The 550 members are employed in the broadcast division of telecoms and transmission company ntl.
They voted overwhelmingly to reject changes to terms and conditions of employment which could cost some members up to £4,000 a year in salary, in addition to more unsociable working, leading to a “deterioration in members' work/life balance”. 85% of Bectu's membership voted in the ballot, with 78% voting against the company's proposals.
Members will now be balloted for a campaign of industrial action. The ballot papers will be distributed to members on March 2, with the ballot closing on March 22.
Bectu's members provide a transmission service for ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, commercial radio including Classic FM, and digital TV and radio services. They also provide a significant part of the radio communications for the emergency services: fire, ambulance and police (including the Metropolitan Police), across the country.
Bectu National Official David Beevers commented: "We have tried to constructively negotiate with the company. However, it has become clear that the company will only be happy if members are prepared to accept significant reductions in pay and a general deterioration in their terms and conditions. This cannot, and will not be acceptable to the union and its membership."
Bectu General Secretary Roger Bolton said: "We believed that ntl had turned the corner financially, after many difficult years. During those years our members have supported the company through these difficult times and suffered significant job losses. Not satisfied with this, the company now wish to take away their right to proper payments for unsociable working and the right to a family life outside of ntl. Our members have shown in this ballot their determination to resist these draconian measures."
(GB)