Premises petition presented

Over 1200 have signed a petition opposing plans for regional premises staff.

The petition, organised by BECTU, has been presented to DG Greg Dyke in support of facilities staff in the regions threatened with an enforced transfer into property company Land Securities Trillium (LST).

The petition, which was signed by more 1200 staff throughout the UK, calls for the BBC to continue employing hundreds of premises staff which could transfer into LST if the Corporation decides to extend a private finance initiative which currently covers London and Glasgow.

Last year more than 300 BBC staff in London and Glasgow were transferred to LST in an 30 year agreement under which the company runs all premises services from catering and cleaning through to architectural specialists.

Union members who moved to LST have complained that their professional standards, working conditions, and job security, have all come under pressure since the transfer, and regional premises staff are wary of following their colleagues.

LST management have confirmed that the BBC gains no financial benefit from handing staff over to the company, and the union is hoping that the petition will persuade the Corporation's finance managers that they should all be allowed to continue as BBC employees.