You might as well quit watching Strictly Come Dancing now, as the spectre of strike action looms over the final of the BBC’s flagship entertainment show.

With the three BBC unions, Bectu, the National Union of Journalists and Unite announcing a formal ballot of its members, staff could take to picket lines as early as December, meaning the Sports Personality of the Year awards could also be affected.

It follows the Beeb’s decision to make 2,000 employees redundant as it bids to make enforced savings of £670 million a year. Staff are also angry over some proposed changes to expenses payments.

Bectu general secretary Gerry Morrissey said: “Without a change to the BBC’s position, we are under no illusions that a vote for strike action will mark the start of a programme of industrial action which could affect the highlights of the BBC’s autumn/winter schedule including the Strictly Come Dancing finals and the Sports Personality of the Year awards.”

A BBC spokesperson said: “We are fully committed to a constructive dialogue with the unions about flexibility allowances and our pay and grading structure. However we are at the earliest stage of talking these proposals through with our staff and have not even begun formal consultation with the trade union.”

(Source: MediaGuardian)

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