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“Fear and loathing” at BBC as staff vote to strike (again)
BBC staff have voted for strike action over redundancies and cuts at the BBC, according to the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Members voted for strike action by a massive 73.6 per cent of the vote. The figure rose to 86.9 per cent of members when they were asked whether they should take action short of striking.
The NUJ pitched the action as as a "battle for the heart and soul of the BBC". The union claimed cuts to the Beeb were being targeted in the wrong direction, damaging grassroots journalism instead of rooting out managerial waste.
NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said:
"This dispute can be sorted out easily if the BBC wants to, which is why we are seeking the intervention of the director general. If we cannot reach a sensible settlement NUJ members stand prepared to take strike action in the coming weeks and months in order to bring their campaign to the attention of the broader public, who share our members’ desire for a public service broadcaster that serves the interests of licence fee payers, not its executives."
The union has asked for a meeting with BBC director general Tony Hall.
The NUJ said morale at the corporation was at a record low, with one journalist describing the atmosphere as one of "fear and loathing". Back in July, the BBC announced it would be cutting 415 jobs in BBC news, which is expected to save the corporation £48m by 2017.