FRESH PROPOSALS TO RESOLVE MAJOR BBC RESOURCES DISPUTE

HOPE FOR the resolution of a major dispute between BECTU members and BBC Resources has arisen after fresh negotiations between the union and management.
Industrial action has continued since March 2001 with a work to rule by union members across all BBC Resources London Operations. The action resulted from opposition to a wide-ranging management package including enforced redundancies, changes to local conditions of employment, travel arrangements and payments for short-term assumption of extra responsibilities.
BECTU are considering significant new proposals put forward at the meeting on July 18 and have officially recommended that their membership accept these in order to resolve the dispute.
Industrial action will be suspended from July 23 while the proposals are put to the ballot. BECTU expect it will take up to three weeks to receive returns from all their members in BBC London Operations.
The new proposals being put to the ballot include the right to refuse shifts longer than 12 hours, with extra payment for longer shifts, and periods of assumed extra responsibility.
Union negotiators believe that these proposals represent the re-instatement of a number of important working conditions. (CD)