John
09-14-2010, 05:50 PM
The Conservatives have expressed concern about the impartiality of BBC coverage of their party conference after workers agreed to go on strike at the same time.
Chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has written to the director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, saying: "Like many people in Britain, I was concerned to read reports today that BBC staff plan to take industrial action in October.
"I understand that you have already spoken to staff about this issue and on the specific point of contention regarding staff pensions.
"Everyone's hope remains that a fair and amicable resolution can be found to the dispute so that strike action need not go ahead.
"In the meantime, I would be grateful if you could let me know what contingency plans are in place to ensure political coverage is maintained during the conference period in line with the BBC's obligation to provide impartial political coverage."
Baroness Warsi's intervention came after thousands of BBC workers voted to stage two 48-hour strikes in a row over pensions.
Journalists, technicians and other broadcast staff will walk out on October 5 and 6,when the Conservative conference will be held, and again on October 19 and 20, the date of the Government's spending review.
A BBC spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the unions have announced dates for industrial action.
"We are surprised that they have done so when we have just announced today a new 60-day consultation period on a significant addition to our pension proposals.
"We believe our pension proposals address concerns raised by staff and that they should now have the opportunity to fully consider and explore them within the context of an ongoing consultation rather than the threat of a strike."
Source - Yahoo News.
Chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has written to the director general of the BBC, Mark Thompson, saying: "Like many people in Britain, I was concerned to read reports today that BBC staff plan to take industrial action in October.
"I understand that you have already spoken to staff about this issue and on the specific point of contention regarding staff pensions.
"Everyone's hope remains that a fair and amicable resolution can be found to the dispute so that strike action need not go ahead.
"In the meantime, I would be grateful if you could let me know what contingency plans are in place to ensure political coverage is maintained during the conference period in line with the BBC's obligation to provide impartial political coverage."
Baroness Warsi's intervention came after thousands of BBC workers voted to stage two 48-hour strikes in a row over pensions.
Journalists, technicians and other broadcast staff will walk out on October 5 and 6,when the Conservative conference will be held, and again on October 19 and 20, the date of the Government's spending review.
A BBC spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the unions have announced dates for industrial action.
"We are surprised that they have done so when we have just announced today a new 60-day consultation period on a significant addition to our pension proposals.
"We believe our pension proposals address concerns raised by staff and that they should now have the opportunity to fully consider and explore them within the context of an ongoing consultation rather than the threat of a strike."
Source - Yahoo News.