Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Chris Radburn/PA Wire

BBC journalists on 24-hour strike

Staff walked out at midnight in protest at compulsory redundancies.

BBC JOURNALISTS BEGAN a 24-hour strike today in protest at compulsory redundancies, causing possible disruption to the broadcaster’s television and radio output.

Members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) walked out at midnight at the end of yesterday’s programming, over job cuts which are expected to affect BBC Scotland, Five Live, the Asian Network and the World Service.

The strike was called after meetings failed to produce agreement over the redeployment of 30 employees facing compulsory redundancy. Nine of the 30 jobs are at BBC Scotland.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet explained: “NUJ members across the BBC are taking action to defend jobs and quality journalism at the corporation.

“They are angry and frustrated at the poor decisions being taken at the top of the BBC – decisions that are leading to journalists being forced out of their jobs and quality journalism and programming compromised.”

A BBC spokesperson said the organisation understood “how frustrating and difficult situations involving redundancies can be,” but said it was disappointed by the walkout.

“We are working hard to ensure that we succeed in getting staff redeployed wherever we can and will continue to work with the unions to ensure that their members receive the right redeployment support,” added the spokesperson.

The NUJ said that 7,000 jobs had been lost at the BBC since 2004 and is demanding a six-month moratorium in redundancies.

The corporation is cutting around 2,000 jobs over five years as part of its Delivering Quality First programme.

- © AFP 2013.

Read: Official report finds ‘critical lack of leadership’ in BBC over Savile>

Author
View 18 comments
Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamonn Ó'Tíghearnáin
    Favourite Eamonn Ó'Tíghearnáin
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:07 AM

    Ironically, this has also made the news on bbc.co.uk

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran Morgan
    Favourite Ciaran Morgan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:25 AM

    Meanwhile back in rte the gravy train rolls on!

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Slap'stick Ireland
    Favourite Slap'stick Ireland
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 9:56 AM

    Any chance RTE journalists might go on strik, for a few years.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mattoid
    Favourite mattoid
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:24 AM

    @Eamonn & Paddy
    I’m confused now – is it on the BBC website or not? ;-)

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
    Favourite Paddy O'Reilly
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:43 AM

    OK it’s there now, but I wasn’t when I checked half an hour ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21495821

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy O'Reilly
    Favourite Paddy O'Reilly
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:03 AM

    Unsurprisingly this story doesn’t appear on Auntie’s own website.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Republic Of Zen
    Favourite Republic Of Zen
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 9:24 AM

    Fire the ones that strike. Bam. Problem solved.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Strongbow63
    Favourite Strongbow63
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 1:24 PM

    Spoken like a true capitalist.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bacoxy
    Favourite bacoxy
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 8:07 AM

    No news is good news they say…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Walls
    Favourite David Walls
    Report
    Mar 20th 2013, 2:21 AM

    Well it seems you got there before me, only because I read it later!!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Waffler Towers
    Favourite Waffler Towers
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 9:46 AM

    Redeploy them to RTE

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe O Connor
    Favourite Joe O Connor
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 10:40 AM

    It’s not like we’re talking Gardai or Nurses here is it? Journalists I’m afraid will never get my sympathy vote.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 10:50 AM

    Thanks a lot Joe :)

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe O Connor
    Favourite Joe O Connor
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 10:56 AM

    Sorry Michelle. Nothing personal. And if I really did have a downer on journalists I’d hardly be reading this page now would I? God bless and Good luck!

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 11:08 AM

    No worries, we know you love us really.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Emily Elephant
    Favourite Emily Elephant
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 11:53 AM

    Let’s all hope the BBC Asian Network survives this calamity. Imagine a world without it!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Mason™
    Favourite Gary Mason™
    Report
    Feb 18th 2013, 12:19 PM

    Anyone with a twitter account seems to think they are a journalist these days, copy & paste

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Walls
    Favourite David Walls
    Report
    Mar 20th 2013, 2:19 AM

    No news is good news!!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.