BBC Journalists to strike at Christmas?

As the two day strike at the BBC by members of the National Union of Journalists draws to a close reports claim that further strike dates could be called over Christmas.

 

As the two day strike at the BBC by members of the National Union of Journalists draws to a close reports claim that further strike dates could be called over Christmas. The strike by NUJ members at the BBC – there are roughly over 4000 members of the Union at the corporation – began yesterday and affected news output across the BBC. Breakfast on BBC One was presented by former regional newsreader Gavin Grey as the usual Friday hosts Susanna Reed and Charlie Stayt were absent.

The Today programme on Radio Four was cancelled on Friday morning and stand-in presenters were used throughout Friday and Saturday to front the BBC’s news bulletins. The Friday 1pm bulletin on BBC One was presented by former GMTV newsreader Emma Crosby who also remained on the BBC News Channel throughout Friday afternoon. The flagship 6pm bulletin was presented by former Newsround host Chris Rogers as Fiona Bruce, Huw Edwards and George Alagiah all stayed away. Other BBC personalities absent from their regular duties included Martha Kennedy, Nicky Campbell, Gabby Logan and Moira Stewart.

The despite is over reforms to the BBC Pension Scheme and the National Union of Journalists have rejected a deal offered by the corporation. As other unions such as Bectu have accepted the deals the strike action is not as crippling on the BBC as it may have been but there is no denying that services have been disrupted with local news virtually non-existent across the television network. Picket lines were formed outside many BBC buildings such as Broadcasting House and TV Centre in London as well as other locations around the country. Another 48-hour strike is planned by the NUJ for the 15th and 16th of November but as the strike neared its conclusion on Saturday evening reports emerged that further dates could be arranged for the Christmas period. If NUJ members were to go on strike over the festive period it was hamper the BBC’s news coverage of any major event during the festive period and would force the corporation to call in freelancers and senior managers once again.