BBC programmes disrupted by union strike

BBC programmes and news were disrupted today as staff took industrial action in protest at plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs.

Thousands of journalists and technicians stopped work at midnight, joined by regional staff this morning, as what unions are claiming to be the biggest ever strike seen at the BBC hit programme production.

The TUC has said that local as well as regional and national programmes will be affected today, giving a taste of what the cuts would mean if they were carried through.

Commenting on the strike action at the BBC, TUC Midlands Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: 'We all rely on the BBC to give us clear factual information and great entertainment. The public recognise - and indeed demand - that we receive top quality services but they also understand that this cannot be provided if 4,000 jobs are axed at the BBC."

"We call upon the BBC management to engage in meaningful negotiations with the unions. They must recognise the damage that will be done, not just to programme output, but to public confidence in the Corporation if they fail to properly engage with the unions and reach a negotiated settlement.'

Union members commenced picketing outside BBC premises this morning in the first of a series of planned strikes, unions plan to follow this up with a 48-hour stoppage from Tuesday May 31 and Wednesday June 1.

Among the television productions disrupted was BBC One's Breakfast which was reduced to pre-recorded material studded with brief news bulletins.

BBC Radio Four's Today programme, and much of the output from Radio Five today were similarly replaced with pre-recorded items.

The three main unions concerned the NUJ, Bectu and Amicus expect that some 11,000 BBC staff would take part in the industrial action today. BBC staffers said that some offices in the BBC were like the 'Marie Celeste'.

Unions have hailed the day of action as a huge success. NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: "We knew this strike would be big and get massive backing from staff but the effect it is having on programming is even greater than we expected.

"We've dealt a major blow in the fight to save the BBC from Mark Thompson's savage cuts. I hope he will now begin to take notice and begin proper negotiations with the staff unions."

Bectu's Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Morrissey, said: "Members have come out across the country to support the strike, and production has stopped. We're expecting them to be joined by thousands more as the day progresses, and we are confident that live programming will be curtailed, or cut altogether."

Earlier this year, BBC Director-General Mark Thompson annouced staff cuts at the BBC amounting to 3,870 posts.

(SP/KMcA)