BBC journalists strike against redundancies
Southampton
Nick Chaffey
Pickets were out early in Southampton today as part of a national strike at the BBC over compulsory redundancies.
Nationally 30 jobs are under threat by the end of March. Over 2,000 jobs are being cut across the BBC as part of the euphemistically titled Deliver Quality First programme.
Tom Hepworth, FOC NUJ BBC South, said:
“Locally four have been given notice of redundancy. Experienced journalists are being put on the scrapheap when plenty of posts are unfilled and the BBC is advertising externally.
“The cuts planned, if they go ahead, will make the BBC unrecognisable. You can’t get quality journalism on the cheap”.
Dominic Blake, FOC NUJ BBC South, commented:
“The BBC is wasting vast sums in redundancy payouts by forcing people out of their jobs whilst advertising other vacancies. It is a callous way to treat loyal staff, and a cavalier use of public money”.
Union members are determined to defend their jobs, pay and conditions as part of defending quality journalism at the BBC.
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