BBC licensing staff strike over India outscoring

Staff at the BBC licensing headquarters will go on strike today.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at the Bristol centre will walk out for 48 hours in protest at work being outsourced to India.

Workers fear the switch of work could lead to hundreds of job losses.

The union’s assistant secretary Andy Furey said the decision by Capita – who manage the centre – to send work to India was “cynical”.

He added: “CWU members have been left with no alternative but to take industrial action as Capita are unwilling to provide long-term guarantees in relation to jobs.

“We know that UK customers do not want their bank and other personal details sent abroad and we call upon the BBC to intervene in this matter and reverse Capita’s cynical decision.

“With recent media reports about the inaccuracies and flaws in criminal records checks made in Indian call centres, it begs the question why are companies still prepared to take the risk?

“Many blue chip organisations have reversed the policy of outsourcing to India back to the UK because of concerns about security.”

More than 100 workers are set to take part in the strike after voting by 95% in favour of industrial action.