World Service strike wins support

Solidarity messages have been received by BBC World Service staff who are striking today (Thursday) to prevent offshoring of their work.

The staff affected work for the South Asian section and are members of BECTU and the NUJ.

They produce broadcasts to India, Pakistan and Nepal in Hindi, Urdu and Nepali. The strike began in the early hours of this morning and will continue until 23.59 tonight.

Staff are concerned that moving production of these BBC language services abroad will result in poorer output and a loss of independence which is integral to the BBC World Service.

One member commented: “If the BBC’s succeeds in imposing change, the tendency will be for the output to become more and more India-centric, in the case of the India service, as they try to compete with local FM broadcasters.

“This moves away from the World Service’s USP: impartial news with a global perspective. Why should the British taxpayer end up paying for a local Indian radio station?”

The unions believe that the BBC’s proposal, which is driven by the need to cut 3% of spending year on year until 2012, threatens the future of the BBC World Service as a independent source of world news and current affairs.

Today outside Bush House, an orderly and good humoured picket line has received warm support and interest from fellow workers.

Messages of solidarity and support for those on strike have been received from the Ulster TV, Royal Opera House and ENO branches of BECTU and also from the Midlands No 7 Branch of the CWU.

In addition, there has been a great deal of support from the general public, with many drivers tooting their horns in support of the pickets.

BECTU National Official Pat Styles said: “The depth of feeling of the workers affected, and the level of support for the striking workers, explain why the BBC should return to the table and come to a negotiated settlement.”