Second Strike Over BBC Redundancies

Journalists across the BBC are on strike in their second stoppage against compulsory redundancies.

The National Union Journalists (NUJ) has said that throughout negotiations the BBC's management has refused to take the necessary steps to avoid compulsory redundancies despite the union offering a range of practical and alternative solutions in an attempt to stop journalists being forced into unemployment.

All the journalists currently affected are willing to accept redeployment and they face an uncertain future. The NUJ have said the BBC are wasting thousands of pounds making skilled and experienced people compulsorily redundant instead of redeploying staff.

The NUJ is demanding that the BBC allow those who have left to gain access to internal BBC jobs and the ability to come back and work. The union is also calling on the BBC to extend the leaving dates of those facing imminent compulsory redundancy.

NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: "The BBC's current actions spell disaster for quality journalism, the corporation is wasting thousands of pounds making hard working, skilled and experienced journalists redundant. Instead they should be adopting alternative solutions and redeploy those who are threatened. No one should be forced out of work when there are jobs available for journalists to do.

"By taking strike action members intend to show they are prepared to stand up for colleagues under threat and the union is calling on the corporation to step back from the brink and avoid further industrial action in response to compulsory redundancies at the BBC."

Demonstrations are currently being held outside BBC Television Centre in London and later at midday at BBC Bush House.

(BMcN)