The  24-hour walkout by members of the National Union of Journalists was in protest at compulsory redundancies, which they say will compromise quality journalism.

Journalists, led by NUJ General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet  walked out of the BBC’s London studios at midnight and picket lines mounted outside, as well as at other BBC across the country

Ms Stanistreet said:
“NUJ members across the BBC are taking action to defend jobs and quality journalism at the corporation. They are angry and frustrated at the poor decisions being taken at the top of the BBC – decisions that are leading to journalists being forced out of their jobs and quality journalism and programming compromised.

“Instead of making sure that the redeployment process works properly in all areas of the BBC, managers are prepared to waste public money on needless redundancies and sacrifice the livelihoods of experienced and talented journalists, at the same time as advertising other jobs externally. It’s particularly disappointing that the BBC has failed to engage meaningfully in attempts to resolve this dispute – an abdication of responsibility for a public service broadcaster.”

The NUJ said its members across the BBC – in Scotland, in BBC South, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, Five Live, the World Service and English Regions – were at risk of compulsory redundancy.

A BBC spokesman 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.”

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