02/02/2006

Strike to affect BBC Radio

BBC radio programmes could face disruption as hundreds of production staff prepare to strike later this month.

According to union Bectu, around 500 staff plan to stage two one-day strikes on February 15 and 23, in protest at plans to merge a number of production jobs.

The strikes are expected to affect a number of popular shows, including Chris Moyles show on Radio One and Radio 4 shows 'Front Row' and 'You and Yours'.

Sixty per cent of Bectu members voted in favour of industrial action in December.

Bectu officer Luke Crawley said: "Our members are saying that they are prepared to strike because they are not happy with the BBC's proposals."

Mr Crawley said that the union members were not happy with the proposed new role of an assistant producer, who would also handle radio and web content production and studio management.

The BBC said that it would be "disappointed" if listeners were affected by the strike. However, a spokesperson said: "The wider use of multi-skilled assistant producers is part of a strategy through which the BBC's Radio and Music division plans to achieve significant efficiency savings without the need for compulsory redundancies.

"We recognise that the unions continue to have concerns over the role and we remain keen to resolve the outstanding issues if that is possible."

Last May, BBC staff held a one-day strike in protest at plans to cut nearly 4,000 jobs over the next three years.

(KMcA)

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