BBC:

New offer must be rejected

ON 23 May thousands of BBC staff, members of three different trade unions, took strike action. This was not just to defend their jobs but also to save public-sector broadcasting from privatisation and to defend the concept of public services as such.

Christian Bunke, NUJ joint branch secretary, Manchester

Picket lines throughout the country were youthful, lively and combative, sending a militant message to BBC director-general Mark Thompson and the government: "We won't accept your cuts, we will fight."

Then, at the last minute, came the announcement that the two-day strike from 31 May to 1 June was called off. Union leaders put the following to BBC shop stewards at a meeting on Tuesday, but "without proposing acceptance of the offer": BBC Resources will not be sold until 2007. The sell off of BBC broadcast is going ahead, but unions can consult with the bidders. No compulsory redundancies until 2006.

This "offer" doesn't solve anything. NUJ, BECTU and AMICUS members should vote against it. If accepted, the BBC would still be up for privatisation, there would still be massive job cuts after 2006. The fight to save public-sector broadcasting has to continue.

Angry strikers stay determined

Southampton

STRIKING WORKERS at the BBC in Southampton are angry at plans to sack 28 workers out of a staff of 150.

Pickets at Southampton BBC spoke to Will Schafer-Peek and Nick Chaffey.

"We're already over-stretched and relying on pre-recorded material, they will go for cheap live telly to pad out their programmes. This won't improve services. They want to cut back on publicity and admin, jobs that are crucial to day to day running.

"The BBC has a very good reputation and we don't want that to end, they are aiming to increase privatisation, which means licence payers' money being creamed off on profits.

"We're angry that management accuse unions of not wanting negotiations. There haven't been any offers to negotiate! We know how important this strike is, if they get away with this, they'll do what they like."

Services in Southampton were heavily reduced as union members supported the strike, many joined the union in the last few days.

Manchester

MANCHESTER BBC workers showed their disgust at Mark "Mad Dog" Thompson with a solid strike and enthusiastic pickets.

Dozens of journalists, technicians and other staff joined the all-day pickets, gaining widespread public support. Christian Bunke, NUJ joint branch secretary, said:

"This is a good start to the campaign. Management are rattled. The momentum must be kept up, with grassroots membership conferences on a regional and national level to develop the organisation needed to win.

"It'll be a long battle, and must be fought with the determination shown today on the pickets."

Postal workers and refuse workers respected the pickets, adding to confidence that the battle can be fought and won.

Tunbridge Wells

BBC STAFF in Tunbridge Wells supported the national strike on 23 May. Between 75 and 100 staff work out of the office. Notable on the picket line was one activist on stilts, who drew a lot of public support. Car horns showed people's support and many signed the strikers' petition.

Julian Wilson

I spoke to Ian Harkness, head of the NUJ Chapel:

"We are striking because we care about the future of the BBC. 3,800 jobs are to be lost, some at Tunbridge Wells. All we ask is to be included in negotiations.

"We are worried that those staff remaining will have to do more work to make up for those losing their jobs. We demand Mark Thompson suspends the 15% cuts and allows meaningful negotiations."

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BBC: New offer must be rejected

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