24 March 2009
BECTU has welcomed the BBC's decision, announced today (24 March) to create a single technology operation within its Future Media and Technology division.
In time, the changes will see technology and support teams currently based in Audio and Music, News, World Service and BBC London come together in premises in W1.
Management of teams currently supporting engineering and IT activity in the Nations and Regions will remain unchanged at this point.
A core union negotiating team formed of representatives from the affected areas is working with management on the detailed proposals; these will be assessed for their impact on jobs and work organisation and the union will make the necessary representations.
BECTU has been working with the BBC on the parent project, Project Next, since 2007.
In a departure from several earlier technology reorganisations, the BBC decided to retain provision of technology services, and staff, in-house. BECTU members were strong advocates of this position.
Whilst is is expected that some post closures will result from the reorganisation, BECTU believes that there will be opportunities too.
"In future, all divisions will be supported by a single technology serving audio, video and studio needs, rather than each having its own. This will be a major change for our members but W1 will be the largest broadcast technology centre and therefore should also provide exciting challenges and opportunities," explained national official, Anna Murray.
A core union negotiating team formed of representatives from the affected areas is working with management on the detailed proposals; these will be assessed for their impact on jobs and work organisation and the union will make the necessary representations.
"Our members are on the frontline providing the specific support which their departments need.
"Their understanding of the requirements, their experience of working closely with users and of deploying technology to support complex and broadcast critical environments, must all inform the decisions which are due to be made.
"BECTU is working with the various workstreams to achieve this and will keep in touch with members as the project progresses," said Anna Murray.
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