WORK-TO-RULE CALLED OVER BBC EXPENSES

BECTU have called for a work-to-rule from Monday, February 26, over cuts in expenses payments at the BBC.
Instructions issued to BECTU members in the BBC, except those in Worldwide Ltd, list five forms of possible industrial action: when away from base members will not work through their meal break rather than taking an hour to have a meal; if within five miles of base, members will return to base to use the canteen facilities; members will not book their own accommodation; members will not use their own car instead of a taxi when on BBC business; and members will refuse communication with the BBC during their off duty periods.
Letters were sent directly to members after a postal ballot produced an 85 per cent majority in favour of embarking on a work-to-rule.
The ballot came after the BBC imposed new allowance rules without agreement, which, according to the union, has left thousands of staff worse off when they incur expenses in the course of their work.
Staff could find themselves subsidising the BBC thanks to new restrictions on meal payments, the scrapping of scale rates for meals and overnights, and changes in travel arrangements for staff beginning or ending shifts at times when public transport is unavailable.
Since February 1, when the new system was imposed, members have been engaged in ‘civil disobedience’ based on advice from the union on actions they could take without breaching their contracts.
The completion of the industrial action ballot, and the announcement of official instructions for industrial action, are likely to intensify the difficulties being experienced by BBC management because of staff resistance to the changes.
BECTU had to push hard for any discussions on the new arrangements, which were originally published in September last year, and the BBC eventually made a number of improvements after consultation with the union.
However, the concessions, which included the last-minute re-introduction of lunch payments in some circumstances, were insufficient to convince members that the new rules were acceptable.
Members have had difficulty with two of the BBC's claims about the changes: the Corporations said that the new arrangements are not intended to save money, and are motivated by the need for a single expenses policy across the BBC.
Yet members report that they have consistently lost money since February 1, and the new policy does not cover BBC Worldwide Ltd, nor the BBC's orchestras.
As well as supporting a work-to-rule, the postal ballot also gave the union authority to call strike action. However, there are no plans at present for all-out stoppages.
The NUJ are demanding that the BBC scrap the automatic payments system for the freelances who provide so much of their broadcast material. (CD)