BBC journalists go on strike for 24 hours

PanARMENIAN.Net - Many BBC journalists have gone on strike for 24 hours in a dispute over compulsory redundancies, BBC News reported.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it called the strike after failing to reach an agreement with management.

The disagreement was over the redeployment of 30 staff members facing compulsory redundancy.

The flagship Today program on BBC Radio 4 was dropped from the schedule, replaced by repeats and short news summaries on the hour.

On television, BBC Breakfast was broadcast from London by a single presenter, instead of its regular Salford hosts. The usual program was replaced with a 30-minute bulletin on the hour, followed by daytime programs including Cash in the Attic and Escape to the Country.

On Radio 5live, the overnight Up All Night program and Morning Reports were dropped, while its Breakfast program aired as normal, with replacement presenters.

And later editions of Radio 4 news programs The World At One, The World Tonight and PM will be replaced by repeats of documentaries and Loose Ends.

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

Most of the 2,000 redundancies are expected to be as a result of natural wastage and a freeze on recruitment, but the NUJ said 30 compulsory redundancies were being disputed.

Nine of the 30 jobs are at BBC Scotland, where management have been accused of taking an "entrenched" position.

Compulsory redundancies have also been threatened at 5live, the Asian Network and the World Service.

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

A BBC spokesperson apologized for the disruption to services and said the corporation was "disappointed" with the strike.