BBC set for strike negotiations with staff
Staff vote in favour of strikes after pension dispute
02 September 2010
The BBC is preparing for strike negotiations after its staff voted in favour of industrial action over a pensions dispute.
More than 90 per cent of employees who took part in the ballot voted for walkouts, according to the broadcasting union BECTU and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Although workers voted unanimously for strikes, the unions confirmed that a final decision will not be made for another two weeks as the two sides attempt to come to an agreement.
The BBC has unveiled plans to limit final-salary pension benefits for current members of its scheme from April 2011, while new staff will not be able to apply for the programme.
It also aims to impose a cap on the amount a current pensionable salary can grow to one per cent a year in order to reduce the firm's £2 billion pension deficit.
Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the NUJ, said: "This is an unprecedented result in favour of strike action and a clear rejection of the BBC's proposals.
"We have agreed to give the BBC two weeks to come back with an improved offer or face a concerted campaign of industrial action."