The BBC's coverage of Wimbledon and Royal Ascot could be hit by strikes this summer after a decision by union officials today to ballot BBC staff on industrial action unless changes to the corporation's pension scheme are reversed.
Broadcasting union Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Amicus are to ballot thousands of their members after branding as "unacceptable" the BBC's plan to increase the retirement age from 60 to 65 and close the final salary pension scheme to new entrants.
If the BBC is not prepared to negotiate on the list of demands set out by the unions then they will service notice of strike action.
Ballot papers are likely to be sent out in the middle of next month and strike action could start in June, hitting the broadcaster's coverage of the Wimbledon tennis championships, the British Open golf and Royal Ascot horse racing.
Under proposals announced last week, current staff under 50 years of age will have to work until 65 before qualifying for a full final salary pension. The pension scheme has a surplus but the BBC is choosing to close it.
New staff joining after September 1 2006 will not be allowed to join the current pension scheme, and will instead be offered a pension based on their average salary during their career, instead of final salary.
Bectu said experts estimate this could cut the value of the pensions staff eventually achieve by between 30% and 50%.
Existing staff over 50 years of age are unaffected by the changes, but will also have to pay increased pension contributions, along with younger colleagues, which could reach a figure equivalent to 9% of their salaries each year, double the rate they were paying only two years ago.
The NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, said the BBC's pension plans will create "a two-tier workforce".
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