BBC on 24-hour strike

BBC Sussex picket line. Photo by Melita Dennett

On 18 February 2012, there was a 24-hour strike at the BBC. Full story as it unfolds at http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=2815.

Michelle Stanistreet, said:

"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.

"Instead of making sure that the redeployment process works properly in all areas of the BBC, managers are prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies and sacrifice the livelihoods of experienced and talented journalists, at the same time as advertising other jobs externally. It's particularly disappointing that the BBC has failed to engage meaningfully in attempts to resolve this dispute - an abdication ofresponsibility for a public service broadcaster."

NUJ members across the BBC - in Scotland, in BBC South, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, News, Five Live, the Big Screens, the World Service and English Regions - remain at risk of compulsory redundancy.

BBC jobs have been externally advertised while experienced and skilled staff, who face losing their livelihood, have not even been considered.

The NUJ has put forward constructive proposals to the BBC to resolve this dispute. The BBC has been asked for a moratorium on all job cuts for a six month period, to allow for talks and negotiation with the new Director General. So far the BBC has not responded to this request.

What you can do to help
- Visit your local picket line to show solidarity.
- Send messages of support by emailing: campaigns@nuj.org.uk
- Tweet your messages of support with the hashtag  #BBCStrike
- Email the BBC Trust to tell them you support the strike to stop the cuts: trust.enquiries@bbc.co.uk or if you would like to make a general comments or ask a question about the BBC you can call 03700 100 222; textphone 03700 100 212
- Ask your local MP to sign the BBC redundancies early day motion

Save Our Local News

Save Our Local News! Message from the BBC Brighton NUJ chapel:

Dear listener,

We write to ask you for your support in helping to avert cuts to BBC Sussex which will seriously affect the quality of your local radio station.

You are not being told the truth by the BBC – here are the full facts.

The BBC has told you that there will be changes at BBC Sussex because of the cutbacks imposed by its Delivering Quality First programme. It has said that the afternoon programme and some other shows will be shared across stations.

But in fact the BBC has also announced plans to cut the equivalent of up to twelve staff jobs at BBC Sussex – a total of about one third of the staff.

The programmes that you listen to and contribute to require a small number of highly trained people, with an intimate knowledge of the kind of things that are of interest to listeners just like you.

So, if the BBC cuts one third of staff at BBC Sussex, then the quality of your programmes will inevitably suffer.

Fewer people will mean we can’t do the job that we have been doing for so many years. It will seriously affect our ability to report on the issues that concern you and in time it could affect the long-term chance of BBC Sussex surviving as a service.

We ask you to log on to the BBC website and register your views on the risk to BBC Sussex - your local radio station before 21st December.
You need to go here: http://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/bbc/dqf/. Click 'Online consultation' and read the section 'Delivering Quality First: Public Consultation - Section 4: Nations and Regions'

You can read about what the BBC says and then you can register your own views.

BBC Brighton NUJ chapel

Support BBC journalists

BBC Local Radio journalists are facing 25% job cuts and have balloted for strike action. The Brighton & Mid-Sussex Branch of the NUJ has organised a meeting to discuss what's happening and how we can help. Paul Siegert and Paul Sawtell will be there from BBC Sussex NUJ. Please try and get along.

It's:

Monday, November 21, 8pm
Lord Nelson (back room), Trafalgar Street, Brighton.

BBC on strike

The picket line outside BBC Radio studios in Queens Road, Brighton. Photo taken by Adam Juniper.