BBC news coverage of state opening of Parliament under threat as production staff vote for 24-hour walkout on 14 November

The state opening of Parliament is unlikely to be screened by the BBC after production staff voted to walkout on 14 November in a row over changes to their work rotas.

Production staff members of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (Bectu) at BBC News have overwhelmingly agreed to walk out at 10pm on 14 November for 24 hours.

Further industrial action is planned for 23 and 24 November, with timings to be announced nearer the time.

The decision comes after 95% of Bectu members voted in favour of strike action in response to the BBC’s insistence on changing well-established rotas and tearing-up local agreements.

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Bectu supervisory official Luke Crawley said: “We expect the strike action to be well supported and the fact that our members will not be at work will cause the BBC major problems in covering the state opening of parliament on Wednesday 15 November.”

In total, it is expected 90 Bectu members based at Television Centre and BBC Millbank will be taking action.