WORK-TO-RULE BEGINS IN BBC RESOURCES

MEMBERS in BBC Resources London Operations began industrial action at midnight on Sunday March 4, shortly after new contracts were imposed by management.
Under their new contract terms, staff in London Operations, part of BBC Resources Ltd, face significant cuts in earnings due to changes in payments for long days, short breaks, and travel to locations.
The work-to-rule consists of four instructions: members are being asked to refuse duties longer than 12 hours, or breaks shorter than 11 hours; an embargo is imposed on ad hoc duties; location staff will report to their base instead of site unless transport is provided at the BBC's expense; and members will refuse to communicate with the BBC during off-duty periods.
All the sanctions are aimed directly at changes in terms and conditions which management hope will save £6m a year on the wage bill.
As well as imposing new contracts, London Operations management are also planning to make more than 40 staff compulsorily redundant. Notices of dismissal have already been issued, and staff are due to leave employment at the end of March.
A peace offer tabled by management following a one-day strike in December was rejected by members in January, and staff in TV Studios, Post-Production and Graphics, and Outside Broadcasts were given immediate notice that the contract changes would be imposed without agreement on March 3.
BECTU are exploring possible legal challenges to the changes, on the grounds that staff were given insufficient notice of the new contracts.
Industrial action beyond the work-to-rule is being considered by the union, and further strikes have not been ruled out. (CD)