BBC journalists vote on industrial action in row of local radio shows

BBC journalists will vote on industrial action in a dispute over planned changes to local radio programming.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) says its members working for BBC England are being voted on on proposals to share local radio programming online.

The union said that under the initial proposal, local BBC radio stations would share programs with neighboring stations after 2pm on weekdays and weekends, which the NUJ said would result in loss of articles and journalists having to re-register for their work.

A compromise offered by the BBC that the union said would be less shared was rejected by 70% of NUJ members.

The union said it currently has no choice but to switch to a formal vote.

Participating journalists work for local and online radio and television in the UK.

“There is real anger about the BBC’s plans for local radio, which will result in 5.7 million people receiving reduced service,” said Paul Siegert, national radio organizer for the NUJ. a lot of.

“It would completely undermine the BBC’s public service and remove ‘local’ from local radio.

“We expect an overwhelming vote for action. The union has made it clear that it supports the BBC’s digital expansion, but believes it can be done without destroying local radio.”

The BBC has been approached for comment.