BBC News Presenters Back Demand For Strike Vote As Colleagues Face Compulsory Layoffs
EXCLUSIVE: BBC News presenters are among those calling on their union to hold a strike ballot over colleagues facing compulsory redundancy.
In a letter seen by Deadline, nearly 80 BBC journalists have written to Laura Davison, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), demanding a vote on industrial action. High-profile signatories include presenters Martine Croxall, Samira Ahmed, and Kasia Madera.
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The letter comes after Deadline reported earlier this month that five seasoned BBC journalists, boasting more than 100 years of combined experience, have been told they will lose their jobs. There are also thought to be a handful of other compulsory redundancies planned on Asian Network News.
The NUJ's policy is to ballot BBC union members for strike action if any fellow member is facing compulsory redundancy. However, the NUJ has so far not issued a ballot for those facing layoffs in this latest round of cuts.
'Compulsory redundancy was always a red line for the NUJ — why has that changed and since when?' the letter asked. 'Many of us have been NUJ members for decades — we are all alarmed that the fundamental principle of opposing CR [compulsory redundancy] is not being upheld.'
The missive added that some of the journalists affected will be forced to leave the BBC by mid-August after being told by the corporation that redeployment is not an option. 'We are running out of time,' the BBC employees wrote. The NUJ declined to comment.
Deadline understands that the BBC's position on redeployment is also contested, with those at risk of redundancy arguing that there are suitable alternative roles being advertised on the broadcaster's jobs board.
Four senior BBC journalists have lodged age discrimination complaints as part of the redundancy dispute. The aggrieved employees are all over the age of 50 and have raised an internal complaint as a first step to pursuing an employment tribunal against the BBC.
In a previous statement, a BBC News spokesperson said: 'Like all parts of the BBC, News needs to contribute to the savings announced last year. While we do not comment on individual staff issues, restructuring in BBC News is taking place according to established BBC policies; we conduct all processes in a thorough and fair manner, and we are committed to supporting our staff throughout, including through comprehensive redeployment assistance.'
The layoffs are part of savings plans announced by BBC News last October. The division said it would cut 130 roles and cancel interview series HARDtalk as part of BBC-wide efforts to save £700M ($943M). BBC News CEO Deborah Turness acknowledged at the time that the changes were 'not easy.'
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