Open Letter from 282 staff in BBC News and BBC World Service calls on Pensions and Fat Cat Salaries.  The publication of the letter coincides with a decision by BBC unions to hold a strike ballot over the pensions issue and pay. The statement was drafted by journalists in the BBC World Service.

Sir/Madam:

 Taking advantage of the current hard times, the BBC's top management have launched a full-scale assault on the pension provision of their staff. They tell us the BBC cannot continue to adequately fund the pension or even investigate other options because, they say, this would be unacceptable to the licence-paying public. Those same BBC managers continue to ignore public concern about their own greed and poor performance.

Nobody doubts the difficulty of the financial climate. The BBC must be seen to spend public money it receives wisely. But the public must not be misled into thinking that all BBC staff are on "fat cat" salaries, cushioned by handsome pensions. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is a huge and growing gap between ordinary BBC employees and the top BBC managers, of whom 117 earn more than the prime minister.

Most BBC staff receive moderate salaries. They are compensated for this by a sense of purpose and pride in working for one of the greatest public institutions in the world, and by the promise of a modest pension to support them in retirement. BBC staff make significant monthly payments into the pension fund from their salaries. The amount has varied, but in some years staff have provided up to half of the money required to fund the pensions promised by the BBC.

In contrast the BBC's top managers have demanded and received lavish private sector salaries, benefits and expenses. Their greed, more than anything else, has served to lower the BBC in the public's esteem. At a time of economic hardship cuts should be shared equitably. But this is a management that is unable and unwilling to protect the welfare of its employees. There is simply no reason at a time of austerity for the BBC's senior managers to pay themselves such ludicrous salaries while destroying the future livelihoods of many of their staff.  

We -- as employees and journalists at the BBC -- have no confidence in the current senior management of the BBC. If the corporation -- management and staff -- is to chart a strong future for itself, then the time has come for a new team at the top.

Yours etc.

(Please note the above letter has changed slightly to correct an infelicity in the line in italics -- the meaning is the same)

 Unions warn of strike action over pensions

Union reps representing all BBC staff today gave the Corporation's managers notice that unless they gave a guarantee by 21 July that the value of pensions already earned would be protected, and plans to force through punitive changes to the staff pension scheme dropped, thousands of BBC staff would be balloted for strike action.

The BBC recently announced plans to cap pensionable pay at 1% from April 2011 and revalue pensions at a lower level, effectively devaluing pensions already earned. The BBC has also said in future those promoted would not be able to count their full pay rise towards their pension. NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: "This is nothing short of a pensions robbery which has provoked unprecedented anger and resentment amongst staff across the BBC.

  "While managers can look forward to gold-plated pensions, thousands of BBC staff will be left significantly worse off in retirement. The BBC has broken its promises to staff and is undermining the value of people's pensions. The BBC must withdraw these proposals or face the prospect of widespread strike action and industrial unrest over the coming months.

  "We remain committed to finding a negotiated settlement to address the BBC's pensions shortfall - but not at the expense of the value of pensions already earned".

    Leicester Rejects Pension Cuts. DG asked to stand down

The BBC Leicester Chapel rejects the proposed cuts and is deeply concerned about this attack on our pensions, which are an integral part of our remuneration for the job. For many years the poor salaries paid by the BBC have been compensated -- at least in part -- by an adequate pension. Now even that is under threat. BBC journalists have been paying into the fund for years, even during the BBC's 14 year pension holiday, when the BBC took advantage of a cash surplus in the scheme by paying less into it than was needed.

The Chapel notes that those at the top of the BBC continue to receive absurdly large sums of money in pay, pensions contributions and expenses. It is their behaviour, poor management and squandering of resources that has substantially contributed to the lowering of the BBC's reputation among the public at large.

The Chapel rejects the BBC's claim that the changes have been forced by a £2 billion deficit - it notes that the figure is a snapshot taken at a particularly low point during the economic cycle.

The Chapel has no confidence in the BBC Pension Scheme Trustee Board or any of those responsible for its investment strategy, management and control.

The Chapel is also unhappy with the way the changes to the pension system have been presented to staff as a fait accompli, in less than clear terms, with no real or meaningful consultation. We also deplore the Director General’s decision to back the plans to attack the pensions scheme - as part a pattern of behaviour since taking office, that has shown minimal support for dedicated, hard-working staff - and request him to resign.

We call on the NUJ to consider industrial action to further these demands.

News Interactive Chapel rejects Pension Cuts; passes vote of no confidence in senior managers

This Chapel rejects the cuts to the staff pension scheme proposed by BBC management. We resolve to mobilise all members of staff to fight these plans, using every means at our disposal.

We note with sadness the disastrous impact this proposal has had on the morale of hard working and loyal staff, who feel a sense of anger and betrayal.

The Chapel is outraged that changes which will affected BBC staff for the rest of their lives have been presented as a fait accompli, in less than clear terms, with no real or meaningful consultation or negotiation.

Meanwhile too many senior managers continue to receive obscene amounts in pay and pension contributions, bringing the BBC into disrepute among the public at large.

We have no confidence in the current senior management of the BBC.

We call on all our NUJ and Bectu colleagues to help organise and support any industrial action necessary to protect our rights to fair pay and a decent pension.

Merseyside pledges to fight; says senior managers are bringing BBC into disrepute

The Radio Merseyside chapel has passed the following resolution. "This chapel deplores the proposed changes to the final salary pension scheme, which it regards as an insult to hard-working BBC employees. We resolve to fight these changes by all means necessary, up to and including strike action. The chapel further deplores the fact that senior management continue to receive obscene amounts in pay and pension contributions, bringing the BBC into disrepute among the general public"

Tunbridge Wells speaks out on Pensions

The BBC Chapel in Tunbridge Wells has passed the following resolution. More than 90% of those who voted were in agreement:

"This chapel deplores the proposed changes to the final salary pension scheme, which it regards as an insult to hard-working BBC employees. We resolve to fight these changes by all means necessary, up to and including strike action."

Arabic Service Chapel rejects pension cuts

Members call on Thompson to go

World Service staff warn Thompson and the Fat Cats: We are prepared to go out on strike over pensions!

Journalists and Production staff across the BBC -- including here at Bush House -- have made clear that they arre prepared to go on strike over Mark Thompson's plans to close the BBC Pension Scheme.

Hundreds of staff from both the NUJ and BECTU attended a packed meeting in Bush House to hear a first hand account from the NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, and his BECTU counterpart, Gerry Morrissey on the BBC's behaviour at talks on pay and pensions.

 At the Bush House meeting Jeremy Dear accused the BBC of taking part in a pensions robbery. Gerry Morrissey said unlike the BBC Executive Board,  members weren't demanding gold-plated pensions, just copper-bottomed ones.

Members unanimously passed a resolution giving the BBC until July 19th to back down or face industrial action.Staff at Television Centre, White City and other centres including Bristol have also passed similar resolutions.

  Leafleting at Bush House

With the possibility of strike action over pay and pensions drawing closer, NUJ and BECTU members have again been  leafleting on the doors of Bush House.

This time members have been collecting signatures for an open letter from staff that is to be sent to national newspapers.  Details of the letter are not being released to the public, but it is thought to be frank.

A local NUJ spokesman said that the sense of shock and betrayal felt by many people was turning into a clear resolve to find out exactly what went wrong.   The spokesman described an email sent out last week by the Director-General, Mark Thompson,  as disingenious, insulting and shameful.

"In his email, Mr Thompson seems to be saying that the general public would not tolerate the BBC paying a higher proportion of the licence fee into the pension fund.  If this is the case, it is purely because of the inflated salaries that he has chosen to pay himself and the 117 other senior managers who earn more than the Prime Minister. 

"If all these salaries were proportionately reduced,  we estimate that around £8 million pounds per year would be released.  That's enough money to create another 160 jobs to help restore  BBC News to a proper level and quality.

Staff at Radio Lincolnshire have also called on the DG to stand down.

BBC Pensions Down the years

A former government pensions regulator on the long BBC pension holiday.

Strictly speaking this low level of employer contribution is not a "holiday", as taken by some employers at that time, but it is clear that exaggerated future expectations for investment returns allowed the BBC to take considerable relief over that period. This mistaken policy by the Board (and its advisors) naturally now requires to be made good, but it should not be at the expense of staff.

BBC unions move closer to strike ballot over pay and pensions

Message from Jeremy Dear:

Your union's negotiators met again with the BBC this morning regarding the 2010 pay offer and pension proposals.

The BBC have tabled their final pay offer:

A £475 consolidated pay increase for all those earning less than £37,762 basic.

A pay freeze for all other staff.

A 1% increase in the floors of grades and allowances.

Termination of the ACAS 5-Month agreement (which gives staff a longer period to seek redeployment in the event of a potential compulsory redundancy selection scenario) from 31 July 2010 and its replacement with an inferior alternative.

An agreement in principle on when those acting up should be given substantive posts.

In addition, members will have seen yesterday's pensions announcement.

The 1% cap on future increases in pensionable pay for those in final salary schemes and the 1% revaluation for those in career average schemes irrespective of any pay award or promotion, both going forward and applied retrospectively, means many people will lose tens of thousands of pounds worth of pensions. Such a move devalues accrued benefits. It amounts to a pensions robbery.

Following today's meetings and the failure of the BBC to improve their pay offer, the BBC joint unions have warned that a strike ballot on pay and pensions is becoming increasingly likely. In the next few days we will distribute more detailed analysis of the pensions proposals and we begin a series of consultation meetings on pay and pensions across the UK next week. Details can be found here www.bectu.org.uk/news/869

It is your chance to come to the meetings and have your say or let your reps know your views. The joint unions will meet again on 19 July to plan the next steps in this campaign.

Your negotiators' view:
At a time of yet morejob cuts and ever-increasing workloads, BBC staff are to be rewarded with:

a significantly below inflation pay award in 2010

a pay freeze for all those earning over £37,726

a refusal by the BBC to rule out a pay freeze for ALL staff in 2011

a retrospective pensions grab by the BBC

a cap on future pension benefits for existing staff

the unilateral scrapping of an important agreement which has helped to avoid costly and unnecessary compulsory redundancies over the past few years.

BBC staff aren't greedy - they know the value of public service, they're proud to work for the BBC. But they get angry at excessive management salaries, at having to cut corners on programmes or work excessive hours to make up for staffing shortages.

The BBC has had a 2% licence fee increase for 2010 - staff should not have to accept less than an equivalent pay rise. Instead 35% of BJs and SBJs will receive NOTHING.

Last year we reluctantly accepted a below-inflation pay rise, we accepted a pay freeze for those earning over £60,000 p.a., staff agreed to pay more for their pensions. Now we're being asked to take another hit.

If you are promoted only 1% of the extra salary will count towards your pension, if you get a pay rise only 1% of it will count towards your pension. This will be the last year ever that the full pay settlement counts towards your pension - even more reason for trying to secure the best possible pay deal this year.

In a career at the BBC that will mean the loss of tens of thousands of pounds for each and every member.

That's unfair - and no way to reward hard work and dedication.

The union will be stepping up our campaign to have the pensions cap lifted. We will consult with members with a recommendation that if the BBC fail to protect the value of pensions earned up to April 2011 a ballot for industrial action should be organised.

We recognise there are serious issues to be addressed going forwards to solve the pensions shortfall - and we have a number of alternative proposals we believe the BBC should consider. We are adamant however, that what is non-negotiable, is the value of what has already been earned - they should not solve the crisis by devaluing the benefits members have already built up.

And we will be campaigning vigorously forfair pay. We're not being greedy - we believe there can be cuts at the top to reward thousands of BBC staff who make the BBC the world's best broadcasting organisation.

We've proved time and time again that where we are well-organised and campaigning we can win better terms and conditions for BBC staff.

The time to stand up for fair pay and pensions is now.

Jeremy Dear, General Secretary
Sue Harris, National Broadcasting Organiser
on behalf of the NUJ negotiating team (june 30)

World Service Journalists Demand Answers 

 The BBC World Service News Chapel met for a second night to discuss the crisis in pay and pensions.  It passed the following resolution:

Press Release

World Service Journalists say NO to Thompson on Pensions

The BBC World Service News Chapel has passed a motion of no confidence in the BBC Director-General and other senior managers over the proposals to change the BBC Pension scheme.  The motion reads:

 The Chapel has asked the NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear, to inform Mr Thompson of its decision.  It also wants the issue of pensions and Mark Thompson's future to be put to a special nationwide meeting of NUJ reps on July 19th. The Chapel represents journalists in BBC World Service News and Current Affairs, the World Service Business Unit and the World Affairs Unit at Bush House and is one of the biggest in the NUJ.  A special meetingof the World Service branch which also includes language service journalists will discuss the issue next week. 

BBC World Journalists back no-confidence vote

Journalists at the BBC World television passed a similar motion to that passed by BBC World Service journalists. But their motion called for action by both the union and the coalition government. It contained this clause:

"We call on the NUJ to consider industrial action to further these demands. We also urge the government to enact legislation to introduce a retrospective cap on all public sector pensions of £50k so that fat-cat pensions paid out to senior BBC management are clawed back. “

 The FOC at BBC World David Campanale also issued this statement:

"This is a stab in the back for staff who have worked hard for the BBC. Wages in BBC News have been held back for some time and these proposals are a further blow. Our pensions are not like those in the unfunded public sector, which are paid directly from taxation. BBC journalists have been paying into the fund for years – even during the BBC’s 14 year pension holiday - when the BBC took advantage of a cash surplus in the scheme by paying less into it than was needed. Management’s latest proposals are simply another way of robbing staff.”

TO ALL BBC M/FOCS

NUJ Chapel Notice on Appraisal Forms

New types of Appraisal Forms are being distributed to staff and it should be brought to your attention by line managers that a section on "Performance Rating" which appears immediately before "Next Objectives" is totally voluntary. It should be noted that the joint unions opposed the introduction of this section but the BBC decided it should be included.   However, the corporation did agree that people being appraised could choose whether they wished to complete this section.    There should be no pressure for anyone to fill in this section and managers have been briefed to communicate the voluntary aspect.  If you encounter any problems please refer to your M/FoC and in the event of the matter being unresolved contact the Broadcasting office.

More Complaints about the Bush House Restaurant

The NUJ has written to the BBC to complain about the continuing poor level of service in the Bush House canteen. The issue was also raised at recent meeting between union and management in BBC News. Both sides have agreed to meet to monitor the situation.

Thompson asked to take pay cut

BBC journalists at Television Centre have joined colleagues in the World Service in calling on Mark Thompson to prune back his massive £834,000 salary to a more acceptable amount. A survey organised by the BBC London branch of the NUJ suggested that ninety-six per cent of journalists who work on the BBC's national television, radio and online services want him to reduce his salary to five times the median salary of BBC staff. This would give him an income of just under £200,000 a year. 

 BBC Executives criticised over Executive Pay  

The review of the BBC's 2008-2009 annual report by the Commons culture, media and sport select committee describes senior executive pay at the BBC as 'out of step with the current economic climate' and argues that it should be benchmarked against senior management pay scales in the public sector.

We're Twittering on Twitter 

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ERR Tool upgraded

Lillibullero's ERR Tool is back on line after its upgrade. The ERR tool has been simplified and is easier to use -- but it now contains virtually the entire range of ERR values used in BBC News and WSNCA. A more sophisticated version of the ERR Tool -- which will allow members to store data on Lillibullero -- is expected to go on line within the next few weeks.