BBC battens the hatches to avoid news blackout during NUJ's 24-hour strike
Media industry sources are claiming that the BBC is making detailed preparations to avoid a blackout of news programmes during the planned 24-hour walkout by journalists tomorrow (Friday).
The Guardian has reported that negotiations with the NUJ are continuing as the corporation aims to avoid similar industrial action as witness last November.
The Guardian also claims that the NUJ has sent a memo to staff outlining why it is striking following a ballot over compulsory redundancies, and how it thinks the BBC could halt the walkout.
According to the letter: "One of our members in the BBC World Service has already been dismissed. Two NUJ members at Monitoring, including our NUJ rep, will be forced to leave their jobs next week and the week after.
"One other member in Monitoring will be made compulsorily redundant in August, together with several others in the World Service and others to come in the weeks and months to follow.
“The BBC has mishandled these cases and has not shown the will to sort them out."
The NUJ memo also outlined five ways in which the BBC could prevent the strike action; “Extend the leaving dates of those immediately at risk to allow for further talks; Agree to release volunteers; Cut the red tape when it comes to redeployment and make it happen; Use vacant posts to offset the costs of employing those at risk; Apply fairness across the BBC and treat people the same –wherever they work."
However, an internal memo sent by Lucy Adams, business operations director for the BBC said that it financial position of the corporation meant that delaying action now meant that more money would need to be found in the future, which could mean further jobs being affected.
A second 24-strike is also scheduled to take place on 29 July.