BBC staff to strike over cuts

BBC journalists are to stage a one-day strike on Monday, February 18 in an ongoing row over job cuts. The National Union of Journalists confirmed the walk-out would take place across the UK, unless the BBC agreed to end compulsory redundancies. Their members will begin a "work to rule" on Friday as part of the dispute. Other BBC unions have yet to comment. A BBC spokesperson said it was "disappointing the NUJ have chosen to take this action." NUJ members were balloted before Christmas over compulsory redundancies set out in a programme of cuts known as Delivering Quality First (DQF). The plans involve more than 2,000 job losses across the BBC over five years. The NUJ said the BBC was planning around 30 compulsory redundancies, affecting areas including BBC Scotland, the Asian Network, the World Service and English regions. Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: "The BBC is prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies rather than secure redeployment opportunities for those at risk. "This demonstrates the significant failures of some managers to uphold key aspects of the redeployment agreement, let alone the spirit of the deal. "In the meantime we have meetings planned with the BBC and we want to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve this dispute. I hope common sense prevails and a sensible solution is agreed which will mean that strike action is not necessary." A BBC spokesperson said: "We understand how frustrating and difficult situations involving redundancies can be, but it is disappointing the NUJ have chosen to take this action. "We are working hard to ensure that we succeed in getting staff redeployed wherever we can and will continue to work with the unions to ensure that their members receive the right redeployment support."