BBC staff had been balloted over industrial action, but the management are expected to offer an olive branch to disgruntled employees

The BBC is expected to offer an olive branch to staff today over controversial plans to change the corporation's pension scheme as the results of a ballot over industrial action that could affect the Proms and coverage of the pope's visit are revealed.

Balloting over the BBC's proposals to reform its final salary pension scheme opened on 5 August and closes at noon today.

BBC management is facing a revolt from staff over the proposals to cap final salary pension benefits for existing members from April 2011 and to close the scheme to new employees.

Changes proposed in late June include breaking the link between final salary and pension benefits by capping pensionable salary growth at 1% a year, whatever pay increases an employee received. BBC management said the changes were required to try and tackle a £1.5bn-£2bn pension deficit.

Generous pension provision has long been regarded by BBC staff as compensation for the fact that salaries at the corporation are generally lower than those at its commercial rivals.

The broadcasting unions Bectu and the National Union of Journalists will receive the results of the ballot at 12.30pm today and then talk to their members at a meeting at 2pm, with an announcement due out at 3.30pm.

It is thought there has been a high turnout as feelings are running high within the corporation about the way the BBC has introduced the proposals and the effect they will have on people's pensions. Both unions have been in constant talks with BBC executives over the last few weeks.

It is expected that the BBC will offer concessions including possibly using its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, and BBC Television Centre as asset backing for an equity bond to try and close the deficit.

However, as one source close to the talks said: "That's not going to cut any ice with staff. They are concerned with the issue of protecting past benefits and the protection of what people have earned."

The BBC's director general, Mark Thompson, is due to make a further announcement about pensions when the BBC's consultation with staff is concluded at the end of September.

There is also a meeting between staff and BBC pension trustees on 14 September in central London. This follows a recent petition, organised by the NUJ, to force the trustees to hold a meeting.

The motion being proposed is that: "This meeting of members of the BBC pension scheme calls on the trustees to perform their duties to protect the benefits of the members. Specifically, we call on them to oppose the BBC's plan to reduce the eventual value of contributions already made to the scheme."

By Tara Conlan.

Source:-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/01/bbc-pensions-strike-ballot