Siemens pay

The IT and technology provider for the BBC, Siemens, will pay a £300 consolidated increase backdated to January for 2010, in a deal negotiated with broadcasting union BECTU following a ballot for strike action.

The company had initially insisted on a pay freeze, but following the ballot Siemens returned to the negotiating table. The deal also includes a further £80 payment, consolidated and backdated, if BECTU concludes a deal with the firm on performance related pay. Proposals on PRP were put to a ballot of union members during last year’s negotiations but were rejected. Negotiations have now reopened on this subject and are due to conclude by the end of July. However, according to Suresh Chawla, BECTU national officer, these may be extended. “There is still a lot to get through before we can put an offer to members,” he said.