BBC Tech staff reject Siemens sell-off

BBC Tech staff reject Siemens sell-off - again

So that's a 'no' then?

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in IT Director, 13th August 2004 10:22 GMT

Tech staff at the Beeb have voted overwhelmingly to reject plans to sell off BBC Technology to Siemens. In the latest ballot more than 92 per cent of union staff said they want the sale of the broadcaster's technology division to be scrapped. Workers also rejected the latest revised offer on the table by 53.2 per cent.

Despite the result of the ballot, the planned industrial action due to take place today and tomorrow has been canned following the prospect of legal action. The BBC had threatened to take the union to court if it went ahead with industrial action, which would have coincided with the opening of the Olympic Games in Athens. The union's own lawyers had described the BBC's legal threat as "serious".

BECTU, the union representing the Beeb's tech workers, is still in negotiatons with Siemens over employment rights and believes there are a number of issues where Siemens' offer "falls short of the existing BBC terms and conditions".

Said the union in a statement: "BECTU is due to hear from Siemens in the next seven days, and depending on their response, the union will be considering what course of action to adopt, which could include a further industrial action ballot. The overwhelming 92.9 per cent rejection of the sale of BBCT is in line with the union's recommendation to its members."