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BBC schedules face disruption from strike action on Thursday BBC schedules face disruption from strike action on Thursday
(6 months later)
BBC programmes face further disruption on Thursday when broadcasting union members stage a half-day strike in an ongoing dispute over jobs cuts, excessive workload and alleged bullying.BBC programmes face further disruption on Thursday when broadcasting union members stage a half-day strike in an ongoing dispute over jobs cuts, excessive workload and alleged bullying.
Members of the National Union of Journalists and Bectu will stop work at midday on Thursday in a move likely to hit live programming including the BBC News channel, BBC TV and radio news bulletins, and scheduled shows on national and local radio stations. BBC staff members of both unions are already on a work to rule.Members of the National Union of Journalists and Bectu will stop work at midday on Thursday in a move likely to hit live programming including the BBC News channel, BBC TV and radio news bulletins, and scheduled shows on national and local radio stations. BBC staff members of both unions are already on a work to rule.
In February, when the NUJ staged a one day strike over compulsory redundancies, programmes including Radio 4's Today and BBC1's Breakfast were replaced by repeats. Other shows, including 5 Live Breakfast and Lauren Laverne's 6 Music programme, had stand-in presenters.In February, when the NUJ staged a one day strike over compulsory redundancies, programmes including Radio 4's Today and BBC1's Breakfast were replaced by repeats. Other shows, including 5 Live Breakfast and Lauren Laverne's 6 Music programme, had stand-in presenters.
The ongoing industrial dispute will be one of the pressing issues for new director general Lord (Tony) Hall to deal with when he officially joins the BBC on Tuesday, along with steadying the ship after the Jimmy Savile scandal and hiring directors of television and news.The ongoing industrial dispute will be one of the pressing issues for new director general Lord (Tony) Hall to deal with when he officially joins the BBC on Tuesday, along with steadying the ship after the Jimmy Savile scandal and hiring directors of television and news.
The unions are protesting at the BBC's plans to axe 2,000 jobs as part of its Delivering Quality First cost-saving programme. The NUJ has also presented a dossier of evidence from members to the BBC's review of how it handles allegations of bullying and harassment, headed by Dinah Rose QC, which it said revealed a shocking picture of widespread bullying and harassment and a failure by management to deal with those responsible.The unions are protesting at the BBC's plans to axe 2,000 jobs as part of its Delivering Quality First cost-saving programme. The NUJ has also presented a dossier of evidence from members to the BBC's review of how it handles allegations of bullying and harassment, headed by Dinah Rose QC, which it said revealed a shocking picture of widespread bullying and harassment and a failure by management to deal with those responsible.
"Compulsory redundancies being pushed through at the same time as jobs are being advertised externally is not just bad management, it's a waste of licence-fee money," said Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary."Compulsory redundancies being pushed through at the same time as jobs are being advertised externally is not just bad management, it's a waste of licence-fee money," said Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary.
Stanistreet added that BBC management was using DQF to "harass and bully staff", with the cuts affecting quality of work and leading to unacceptable workloads and stress. "We hope the forthcoming Respect at Work report will be a positive step forward in tackling a problem that has become institutionalised – but it's hard to believe that there's a real commitment to change when we're seeing cases of people who have been targeted, bullied and unfairly picked off being rushed out of the door."Stanistreet added that BBC management was using DQF to "harass and bully staff", with the cuts affecting quality of work and leading to unacceptable workloads and stress. "We hope the forthcoming Respect at Work report will be a positive step forward in tackling a problem that has become institutionalised – but it's hard to believe that there's a real commitment to change when we're seeing cases of people who have been targeted, bullied and unfairly picked off being rushed out of the door."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "We are extremely disappointed that the unions are going ahead with strike action and apologise to our audiences for the disruption to services. We have had constructive meetings with the unions in recent weeks and whilst we're unable to postpone planned compulsory redundancies for six months as they requested, we do agree that stress and workload are areas of real concern.A BBC spokeswoman said: "We are extremely disappointed that the unions are going ahead with strike action and apologise to our audiences for the disruption to services. We have had constructive meetings with the unions in recent weeks and whilst we're unable to postpone planned compulsory redundancies for six months as they requested, we do agree that stress and workload are areas of real concern.
"If workloads are going up because of the pressures of working in a 24/7 digital media environment and implementing savings, it's in everyone's interest to understand the issues and work with individuals, their managers and the unions to address it.""If workloads are going up because of the pressures of working in a 24/7 digital media environment and implementing savings, it's in everyone's interest to understand the issues and work with individuals, their managers and the unions to address it."
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