NUJ members at BBC News 24 are
to withdraw goodwill as the dispute over job cuts
at the corporation escalates.
The workers will refuse to work longer hours or
cover for staff shortages and will not accept the
ending of short-term contracts while the dispute
over Mark Thompson’s plans continues.
The move could involve staff: -
- refusing to ‘act up’ without
additional pay
- taking their full breaks including all
screen breaks
- taking protected days off.
With the station already struggling to fill rotas
the action could have a major effect on the channel’s
ability to cover major events.
In a letter to senior managers local officials
said: “The scale and the effect of these cuts,
both on individual staff members and the channel
output will be detrimental to say the least. Given
the complete failure of the BBC to consult with
the unions…we have no choice but to protect
our position”.
The union will also be insisting the BBC maintain
full staffing levels and renew all short term contracts
until the dispute is settled.
NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: “The
BBC have left us with no option but to take such
action. Whilst we have sought negotiations they
have continued to axe jobs, terminate contracts
and shift staff around to try to cover the gaping
holes in their plans.
“The BBC rely on the goodwill of thousands
of members of staff on a daily basis. Given their
contemptuous attitude to meaningful negotiations
it is not surprising staff are refusing to co-operate
with their plans and have run out of goodwill towards
BBC managers”.
The NUJ expects similar action to spread to other
parts of the BBC.
News 24 is to lose 7 broadcast journalists as part
of the Mark Thompson cuts plans as well as network
staff across the UK.
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