BBC journalists to strike on first day of North's Local Government Elections count

National Union of Journalist (NUJ) members at BBC Northern Ireland have announced a 24-hour strike which will commence on the first day of counting in the region’s local government elections.

Almost 83% of those who voted in a recent NUJ ballot backed strike action in opposition to cutbacks at Radio Foyle.

The 24-hour walkout will begin at 12.15am on Friday May 19.

Voters go to the polls for Northern Ireland’s local council elections on Thursday May 18, with the count taking place on Friday and Saturday at centres across the region.

Paul Siegert, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said: “Members have been left with no option than to head to pickets in defence of their jobs and the much-loved programmes listeners tune into daily.

“Yet again, the BBC is pursuing savings and drastic changes at the expense of quality journalism it claims to pride itself on.

“The NUJ wants to reach a solution that resolves the dispute and asks the BBC to return to talks with a fair offer members can accept.”

Radio Foyle’s flagship morning show was axed last month and replaced with a half-hour news programme.

The NUJ said the corporation’s bid to save £2.3 million had resulted in 36 posts being cut, with the prospect of other potential job losses.

The union said the restructuring plans would impact resources and the ability to deliver quality programmes across Northern Ireland.

The BBC has said the reconfiguration is part of a strategy to invest in online services, including the iPlayer, and has insisted compulsory redundancies have been avoided.

The NUJ ballot result was announced last week.

Of 116 valid votes cast, 96 NUJ members in BBC NI said they were prepared to take part in strike action.

Almost 96%, 111 members, also backed industrial action short of strike.

Responding to the strike date announcement, a spokesman for BBC NI said: “We continue to engage constructively with staff and the trade unions in the interests of everyone involved and the audiences we serve.”

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy has expressed her solidarity with BBC Radio Foyle NUJ members who will be striking on Friday May 19.

She said: “I fully support the decision by BBC journalists at BBC Radio Foyle to go on strike next Friday 19 May. The recent cuts to programming and the demise of the Radio Foyle schedule has been detrimental to the city and region and needs to be overturned immediately.

"We need as many people as possible to join with them on the picket lines next Friday.”

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has also expressed solidarity with the strike next week "in protest at cuts to BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Northern Ireland that will see jobs and vital public service broadcasting lost".

Mr Eastwood MP said: "Solidarity with the NUJ members at the BBC who will take industrial action next week in response to the scale of cuts which have already seen vital public service broadcasting reduced and jobs put on the line.

"From the outset, the SDLP has warned that these cuts will have a devastating impact on local news coverage, particularly in Derry and the North West, and that they do not have the support of BBC staff or local people.

 “People in Derry will not be treated as an afterthought. Despite repeated challenges to BBC senior management, we have yet to receive a satisfactory response or justification for the burden of reductions falling on important local programming.

“The SDLP supports the decision of NUJ staff and we will stand with them next Friday.”

People Before Profit  praised journalists in Radio Foyle for voting for strike action. 

Foyleside PBP Councillor Shaun Harkin commented: "This is the correct action by the NUJ. The arrogant Adam Smyth (NI Director of the BBC) refused to listen to the people of Derry when they spoke with one voice, to save Radio Foyle. 

"He didn't have the bottle to come and face the people in Derry and the North West who pay his wages. Instead he tore Radio Foyle asunder from a safe distance. 

"All those who voted for strike action are sending a clear message to Smyth and his Tory bosses that they will not allow the destruction of our local station to continue. 

"People Before Profit urge people to come out and join the picket line at Radio Foyle on the Northland Road. We commend the brilliant Save Radio Foyle campaign and we commend the NUJ members at Radio Foyle for striking back."