Production of EastEnders was disrupted yesterday (Thursday 12 August) after a handful of BBC Studios and Post Production (S&PP) staff took strike action in a dispute over travel time and expenses.

The action involves a group of 27 staff, although reports suggest that only three people actually walked out. Their roles were filled by freelancers for the three hours that they were absent.

The S&PP staff in question are contesting a decision not to continue to provide them with travel time and expenses following a change in base from Television Centre to Elstree.

Bectu supervisory official Helen Ryan said: “This dispute will only be resolved by further talks with management. We hope that today’s action will encourage management to resume serious talks.”

A period of further strike action is planned for Friday 20 August, Thursday 26 August and Wednesday 1 September.

A range of continuous action short of strike is set to start on 18 August.

BBC S&PP chief executive Mark Thomas said: “We cannot afford to reimburse travel-to work claims at a time where other colleagues are losing their jobs.”

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The production of EastEnders was completed on time and as scheduled on Thursday 12 August due to thorough contingency planning combined with minimal industrial action. Only 3 of the 18 BBC Studios and Post Production staff who were scheduled to work on EastEnders went on strike. The dispute centres on the removal of staff claims totalling £100,000 per year for commuting to and from work.”

Topics