Technology employees working for the BBC’s supplier, Siemens, are currently balloting for strike action following the broadcaster’s decision to introduce a pay freeze, according to Computing.

In 2005, Siemens signed a ten-year contract with the public service broadcaster to deliver an enterprise integration architecture layer and other key technology services after the BBC closed its Technology division.

The decision comes at a time when relations between the contractor and its employees at the BBC are already “at an all time low” union official, Suresh Chaula, following the 70 recent redundancies within the Projects and Media Systems division.

There are also a further 50 jobs at risk in the Network and Server Operations division, which is set to be outsourced to Romania.

"As the BBC's technology partner, Siemens are responsible for keeping our services on-air and online. They have kept us informed as talks have progressed and assured us that, in the event of strike action, contingency plans are in place to ensure there will be no adverse effect on audiences," the BBC said in a statement.