NUJ to ballot BBC journalists on industrial action over compulsory redundancies

Mixed · 2The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has formally notified the BBC that it will ballot its members on industrial action over concerns about compulsory redundancies. 1 2 Mixed · 2The ballot will run from 3 to 24 November, and members will be asked whether they want strike action or other measures such as work to rule. 2 1 Mixed · 2It follows the BBC News announcement last week that it would close more than 100 roles over the coming months, saving £5.5 million; the division still has to find at least another £20 million to reach its minimum savings target of £51 million. 2 1

Right · 1The newsroom cuts are part of a wider £500 million savings strategy that the BBC says it must deliver over three years, which GB News puts at roughly 10 per cent of annual costs. 1 Mixed · 2Deputy director general Rhodri Talfan Davies emailed staff on Wednesday calling the ballot a "disappointing development" while saying the BBC respects the right of union members to take part in a ballot. 2 1 Mixed · 2He said the BBC had held "extensive and constructive discussions" with the NUJ, that a large majority of redundancies agreed so far were voluntary, and that the BBC cannot guarantee there will be no compulsory redundancies, because no organisation of its scale could, and doing so would compromise its service to audiences. 2 1

Right · 1According to GB News, Talfan Davies also said the BBC remained committed to dialogue with NUJ representatives and planned to meet them this week. 1 Centre · 1The NUJ ballot is separate from a ballot on pay that closes on 5 November; the BBC has raised its offer to 1.5% or a minimum of £1,000, whichever is higher, from 1% or £500, and has dropped some proposed changes to staff terms. Deadline reports that the NUJ and Bectu are neutral on the offer. 2 Right · 1GB News reports that any walkouts would not take place until December at the earliest, and that the most recent BBC journalist strike was in May, by staff on the World Service programme Newshour and Radio 4's The World Tonight over shift changes. 1

Right · 1GB News also lists other BBC cuts: about 250 full-time posts in the Nations division, saving £33 million, including around 90 roles in BBC Local; the closure of BBC Scotland, BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 Extra's linear broadcasts; and the axing of shows including DIY SOS. Citing Press Gazette, it quotes the NUJ as saying the BBC's situation is the result of "decades of chronic underfunding" of the licence fee. 1