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BBC unions threaten diamond jubilee strike BBC unions threaten diamond jubilee strike
(about 1 hour later)
Broadcasting unions are to target the BBC's coverage of the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations in early June after announcing they would ballot their members for strike action over pay.Broadcasting unions are to target the BBC's coverage of the Queen's diamond jubilee celebrations in early June after announcing they would ballot their members for strike action over pay.
The ballot was announced on Thursday in a joint statement by Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Unite.The ballot was announced on Thursday in a joint statement by Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Unite.
Union representatives said "high-handed BBC managers" had made a "derisory" 1% annual pay offer.Union representatives said "high-handed BBC managers" had made a "derisory" 1% annual pay offer.
They also criticised BBC management for writing directly to staff earlier this week with their intention to implement the 1% pay rise two months early in June.They also criticised BBC management for writing directly to staff earlier this week with their intention to implement the 1% pay rise two months early in June.
Industrial action could hit the Queen's diamond jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace in June, which the BBC is producing.
More than 1 million people applied for tickets for the concert, which will feature stars including Sir Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Steve Wonder and Elton John and is a centrepiece of the Queen's jubilee year.
The BBC will be particularly sensitive to the threat of strike coverage as it gears up for its biggest ever summer of live events, including the Queen's diamond jubilee, the Olympics and Euro 2012 football.
The jubilee celebrations are focused around the four-day bank holiday weekend beginning on Saturday 2 June, with the BBC's coverage due to be anchored by Huw Edwards. The Thames diamond jubilee pageant will take place on 3 June, followed by the Buckingham Palace concert on 4 June.
A formal service of thanksgiving will be held at St Paul's Cathedral on 5 June, followed by a formal carriage procession. Numerous other events will take place up and down the country.
Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of technicians union Bectu and the BBC unions' lead negotiator, described it as a "hostile act" and a "downpayment in our members' pockets to help them through the forthcoming Jubilee strike".Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of technicians union Bectu and the BBC unions' lead negotiator, described it as a "hostile act" and a "downpayment in our members' pockets to help them through the forthcoming Jubilee strike".
"This is an act of poor faith. It adds injury to the insulting pay offer. The BBC had actually asked us to consult members and had scheduled a meeting on pay with us for next week," said Morrissey."This is an act of poor faith. It adds injury to the insulting pay offer. The BBC had actually asked us to consult members and had scheduled a meeting on pay with us for next week," said Morrissey.
"We had informed them that a direct offer of 1% would be seen as a hostile act by the joint unions. We now have no option but to call a strike ballot at the earliest opportunity.""We had informed them that a direct offer of 1% would be seen as a hostile act by the joint unions. We now have no option but to call a strike ballot at the earliest opportunity."
The unions had sought an increase of 2% above inflation subject to a minimum increase of £1,000.The unions had sought an increase of 2% above inflation subject to a minimum increase of £1,000.
The BBC will be particularly sensitive to the threat of strike coverage as it gears up for its biggest ever summer of live events, including the Queen's diamond jubilee, the Olympics, and Euro 2012 football.
The jubilee celebrations are focused around the four-day bank holiday weekend beginning on Saturday 2 June, with the BBC's coverage due to be anchored by Huw Edwards. The Thames diamond jubilee pageant will take place on 3 June, followed by a Buckingham Palace concert on 4 June.
A formal service of thanksgiving will be held at St Paul's Cathedral on 5 June, followed by a formal carriage procession. Numerous other events will take place up and down the country.
The NUJ general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, said the pay award was "derisory with no attempt at genuine negotiation".The NUJ general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, said the pay award was "derisory with no attempt at genuine negotiation".
She added: "It is not just about pay. It is about the BBC's failure to negotiate on a range of issues affecting our members.She added: "It is not just about pay. It is about the BBC's failure to negotiate on a range of issues affecting our members.
"This includes the failure of the BBC management to properly implement a re-deployment scheme that was agreed in"This includes the failure of the BBC management to properly implement a re-deployment scheme that was agreed in
autumn. This has left us with members needlessly facing compulsory redundancy. There are jobs these members could go to, but the BBC is failing to fulfil its part of the bargain."autumn. This has left us with members needlessly facing compulsory redundancy. There are jobs these members could go to, but the BBC is failing to fulfil its part of the bargain."
A BBC spokesman said: "This year we have decided to implement the pay increase early as a small way of recognising the hard work that is going on across the BBC in implementing the savings we need to make and meeting the challenges we face in 2012.A BBC spokesman said: "This year we have decided to implement the pay increase early as a small way of recognising the hard work that is going on across the BBC in implementing the savings we need to make and meeting the challenges we face in 2012.
"We are very disappointed that the unions have decided to ballot their members about taking industrial action. The economic climate remains tough for everyone and this action will not change our circumstances.""We are very disappointed that the unions have decided to ballot their members about taking industrial action. The economic climate remains tough for everyone and this action will not change our circumstances."
About 2,000 jobs will go at the BBC as part of director general Mark Thompson's Delivering Quality First initiative to save £800m.About 2,000 jobs will go at the BBC as part of director general Mark Thompson's Delivering Quality First initiative to save £800m.
DQF was the BBC's response to the 2010 funding deal with the government, which froze the level of the licence fee and saw the corporation take on several other financial responsibilities, including the BBC World Service.DQF was the BBC's response to the 2010 funding deal with the government, which froze the level of the licence fee and saw the corporation take on several other financial responsibilities, including the BBC World Service.
The jubilee is followed by the start of Euro 2012 on 8 June and the Wimbledon tennis championships, which begin on 25 June.The jubilee is followed by the start of Euro 2012 on 8 June and the Wimbledon tennis championships, which begin on 25 June.
The British Grand Prix and the British Open golf tournament also take place in June, followed by the London Olympics, with the opening ceremony on 27 June.The British Grand Prix and the British Open golf tournament also take place in June, followed by the London Olympics, with the opening ceremony on 27 June.
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