BBC strike - frequently asked questions

Advice and guidance for members involved in, or affected by, the strike over cuts and privatisation at the BBC. Union members who took part in the ballot are expected to abide by the collective decision and take part in the industrial action by stopping work. That means you should not be at work between the start and finish of the strike.

The response from members to the yes vote has been very enthusiastic and hundreds of non-members are joining up to fight Thompson's cuts. We know that members will stand together and ensure that the strike is well supported - together we are strong and we can win.

BECTU only authorises industrial action that members have voted for in a properly run ballot (we have to do this to protect the union and members from civil legal action). Members employed by the BBC, Broadcast Ltd and Resources Ltd voted in favour of taking strike action with the aim of forcing the employer to accept our demands and negotiate meaningfully.

If someone joins after the ballot, the union cannot formally instruct that member to take part in the action. However, those who join the union now can still take part in the strike and will receive the same legal protection as other members.

It is illegal for an employer to take any detrimental steps including disciplinary action or dismissal against any member taking lawful industrial action within the first 12 weeks of the start of that action.

BECTU will also support any member who is victimised for taking part in this industrial action by calling all our members out in support.

Yes, the BBC will deduct the equivalent of one days' pay for each day, or a pro-rata deduction if your labour is withdrawn for less than a full working day.

You could also face deductions if, for example, you call in sick on a strike day, unless you are able to present clear proof that your absence was the result of a genuine illness.

No, your pension depends on the level of your final salary at the point of leaving or retiring, and this will not be reduced by losing pay through strike action.

BBC Pensions department treats days of industrial action as unpaid leave, where pension contributions are taken from you pay cheque based on your notional substantive salary, and not the reduced final salary after strike deductions are made.

Likewise, redundancy calculations are based on substantive salary.

What if I get into financial difficulty once strike deductions are made from my salary?

BECTU has established a hardship fund which will be able to alleviate financial problems caused by deductions from staff, particularly those on low pay, who have taken strike action.

For more details see: www.bectubbc.org.uk

Freelances are asked not to carry out duties normally carried out by striking workers, but are not expected to jeopardise their contracts. If you have an existing booking, you'll have to carry it out, but we ask you not to accept a new booking for the strike days.

BECTU has issued guidance to its freelance membership.

NB: If you are on a fixed term contract at BBC, Broadcast or Resources, you are an employee, not a freelance worker. If you have been on fixed term contracts lasting continuously for a year, then you should be in our staff branch.

Call Head Office on 020 7346 0900 and talk to your official about getting transferred into the proper staff branch and they'll advise you on taking part in the strike.

Freelance advice is now available here [62kb pdf]

In the run up to the strike staff will have to carry out their normal duties, we'd ask you to question any instruction by managers to take on work that you consider unreasonable and that you would not normally do.

In any case, you should not be given an unreasonable or unsafe workload or tasks outside your area of competency. Contact local reps or call the union head offices if you have queries.

The union will remain in close consultation with reps in each area to decide on next steps. What happens will depend upon how the employer reacts and how strong the feelings of members are.

It is essential that you keep in touch with your local BECTU reps: can they reach you by phone, email or do you know where notices will be posted?

Industrial action is a measure of last resort. The Joint Unions are prepared to talk to the BBC about reducing or avoiding the redundancies and protecting our mebers facing a company sale or outsourcing. The BBC only wants to talk about managing the job closures and will not guarantee protection for our members who may be sold.

The unions believe that a negotiated settlement to this dispute is possible but only if the BBC modifies its position. We want to protect our members both those who are made redundant, outsourced or sold, and those who choose to remain behind at the BBC.

Thousands of BECTU, AMICUS and NUJ members across the country were balloted for action and delivered a huge majority in favour of action. Our members do key jobs across the BBC and its subsidiaries and the impact of the strike action will make it clear to the BBC why it needs to negotiate properly to the Unions.

If the BBC is prepared to move from its current position and open negotiations then any new offer will be put to members. Industrial action will be suspended until the outcome of the ballot is known.