The NUJ has announced a twenty-four hour stoppage across the BBC on 26th February 2007.
NUJ representatives from across the BBC unanimously backed strike action in the face of a refusal by BBC managers to reconsider plans for up to six compulsory redundancies. Bectu members will also be out on strike.
NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: “BBC managers have absolutely nobody to blame but themselves for this strike – they have dug their heels in over an issue that could easily be resolved. Hundreds of BBC staff have volunteered for redundancy and dozens of vacancies are currently being advertised, but BBC managers have refused to redeploy threatened staff and instead are seeking to force staff out the door.”
“It's a poor way to run the world's leading public service broadcaster. BBC staff and licence-fee payers deserve better. We are even now calling on the BBC to agree a sensible outcome. The challenges facing the corporation are significant and they should not begin by alienating the journalists who work so hard to make the BBC what it is.”
NUJ National Broadcasting Organiser Paul McLaughlin said: “We made it clear at the start of this process we would not accept compulsory redundancies because we said there was no need. There is still no need and BBC managers have only themselves to blame for the angry reaction of their staff.”
The union will be organising chapel meetings in the coming days to discuss developments and plan for the action and will keep members updated on efforts to resolve the dispute.
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