NUJ strike: “Significant disruptions” at BBC World Service

Submitted by vickim on 5 November, 2010 - 5:35 Author: Vicki Morris spoke to NUJ pickets outside Bush House (BBC World Service) early afternoon during the strike on 5 November 2010

Murad Shishani (BBC Arabic service): I am a journalist and the union health and safety rep. The Arabic service chapel is one of the biggest in the World Service.

Have you managed to stop all the broadcasting today?
We have caused significant disruptions in Arabic service TV, radio and online production. And that is the same across the World Service departments. They are repeating programmes.

I have been on the picket line at Bush House since 9.30am this morning. I was over at Television Centre (White City) last night, when the strike started at midnight. The newsroom was empty. We have sent people around the different studios to picket – that’s why we are here at Bush House.

What is the next step for the campaign?
We have another 48-hour strike scheduled for 15/16 November if there is no improvement in the offer on pensions.

Are you confident they will improve the offer?
We are confident that we will have another good strike if they don’t. We have very good coordination. All the members are involved in the discussions. For example, the picketing here involves people from all around the World Service and the domestic service. The Arabic service works particularly closely with the Farsi [Persian] service.

Why do you think BECTU and Unite accepted the offer while NUJ hasn’t?
I don’t know. I think that NUJ has more members...

Are you picketing in shifts?
Yes, there were about 10 when we started this morning, now there are about 40. People will take over from us when our shift is finished.

Are people just angry about the proposed cuts in pensions or are there other issues underneath?
This is about pensions but people are frustrated about several issues. Management flaunting regulations, and so on.

Redouan Ahmimed (BBC Arabic service): I’m an online producer.

How many work in the Arabic service? How many are on strike?
About 200-250 people. I would say about 80% of people are striking; there are a few NUJ members working. NUJ membership is particularly high in the Arabic service; about 85-90%.

Why do you think union membership is so high?
Because the management threats to us are high.

Have you calculated what you will lose in pension if the proposals go through?
I have been quite ill lately so I've been a bit out of it but, to be honest, no, I don’t know what I will lose in future. For me it is the principle. I am a union member so I am on strike.

People are angry on principle: for example, a union member in Liverpool has sent the Director-General Mark Thompson a message today calling him a fat cat and so on. The top management get big salaries while they are coming after our pensions.

What are the union’s plans if the strikes today and on 15/16 November don’t lead to an improved offer?
I don’t know; we will increase the pressure. We might try different forms of protest.

Have you stopped any people going in to work today?
I think we have just been handing out our leaflet to people going into the building...

Updates on the strike: http://www.nuj.org.uk/innerPagenuj.html?docid=1796

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