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BBC Technology Union Backs Off after Broadcaster Threatens Legal Action

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 6, 2004 - 3:26am.
London -- Bectu, the union that represents nearly 25% of BBC Technology's staff, said it has abandoned a second proposed strike after the BBC made a "serious" legal threat to take it to court. The union opposes the sale of BBC Technology to Germany's Siemens, the fourth-largest mobile-phone company in the world, and threatened to go on strike during the Olympics at the end of July and a second time in mid August. The first proposed two-day strike was called off after Siemens made a revised offer to BBC Technology staff on pension plans and conditions. Even so, the union says it is seeking assurances from Siemens regarding pension guarantees and the touchy subject of relocating staff to different cities. Bectu has threatened to take industrial action if it does not receive sufficient assurances. "There are still a significant number of issues unresolved between Bectu and the corporation concerning BBC Technology which, if not resolved, will lead to a further ballot for industrial action," said Bectu's Gerry Morrissey.
tags: Broadcaster | BBC Technology | Threatens | Legal Action |