Further woe for Corporation as Unison strike threat looms

Around 170 of the corporation's 600 staff are members of public services union Unison, which is looking to ballot after bosses refused its demand for a 5% pay increase on 7 November.

Management offered 2.5% to the staff, who have not received a pay increase this year.

Laura Butterfield, Unison's officer dealing with the corporation, said: "The branch did not receive a satisfactory response, so it is looking to ballot for industrial action."

The union has also called for extra benefits, including extended leave.

A well-placed source said: "[Staff] think the corporation is squandering money on a failed computer contract and that directors are being given thousands in payouts, so they should get a decent rise."

The corporation would not provide details of its computer contract, but a spokeswoman said: "If someone says we're squandering money, that's their opinion. The system is working fine as far as I know."

Corporation accounts for 2002/03 show outgoing chief executive Norman Perry was given a performance-related bonus of £2961 in 2003. Three assistant chief executives also got bonuses: Bob Dinwiddy received £2209, while Jacqueline Green and Neil Hadden gained £2859 and £2175 respectively.

Unison's fellow union Amicus, which has around 230 members at the corporation, is understood to be following events closely and considering similar action, but representatives were unavailable to comment as we went to press.

The corporation averted strike action at the eleventh hour earlier this year, after management and unions reached an agreement over staff redeployment and pension rights (HT 4 April, page 9).