BBC journalists to strike, says NUJ

Members were balloted before Christmas

BBC journalists have agreed to strike and launch a corporation-wide work-to-rule in a row over job cuts, the National Union of Journalists has said.

A work-to-rule in Scotland would be extended UK-wide, and there would be strike action unless the BBC redeployed staff under an agreed scheme, it said.

It said members were balloted before Christmas over compulsory redundancies in the "Delivering Quality First" cuts.

A BBC spokesperson said it was working closely with staff and the unions.

Scotland losses

The "Delivering Quality First" programme involves more than 2,000 job losses across the BBC over five years. Thirty compulsory redundancies are being disputed, the NUJ said.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: "Our members are being forced to escalate action against these compulsory redundancies because of the lack of movement from management to properly use the redeployment system.

"This lack of engagement is particularly entrenched in BBC Scotland where nine members face losing their job at the end of March.

"If the BBC wants to resolve this dispute, they need to engage meaningfully with the NUJ and find opportunities for these talented experienced journalists at risk - rather than waste public money on needless compulsory redundancies."

The BBC said it was working with staff and unions to seek redeployment of staff wherever possible, and talks were ongoing.