More than 97% of NUJ members at BBC North West have voted for work to rule action, protesting the “damaging” impact of job cuts on news output.
Industrial action follows the BBC cutting £25 million from the BBC England budget, which has led to 450 jobs being lost. As a result of the reduced workforce, the NUJ says BBC staff are expected to take on duties previously handled by technical staff.
If allowed to continue, the quality of regional news programming and deteriorate, says the union, of which the majority of BBC North West staff are members.
Paul Siegert, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said: “This dispute is about workloads and maintaining quality and standards. We understand the BBC has limited funding and resources but we are asking that BBC managers, who in some cases have never carried out these duties, to listen to their staff who fulfil them out every single day.
“Twenty two staff have left in the past year or so and the remaining staff are being asked to do more, work harder and learn even more technical skills that have nothing to do with journalism.
“The strain is already showing on them but, equally as important, it will soon start to show on what the public sees on their TVs. NUJ members care passionately about quality which is why they are taking industrial action to protect regional news now and for the future. If they don’t fight to protect quality and standards nobody else will.”
BBC North West’s output includes North West Tonight, BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Manchester, and is headquartered at MediaCity, part of the wider BBC North.
