BBC strike to hit Commonwealth Games

Thousands of BBC journalists, technicians and other workers are to stage a 12-hour strike over pay next week to coincide with the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

Members of the National Union of Journalists, Bectu and Unite will walk out around midday on 23 July, followed by a work to rule. The move follows overwhelming votes in favour of action in protest at an offer of £650 for those earning less than £50,000 a year and £500 for those on more than £50,000.

Union leaders said staff had suffered five years of below-inflation pay deals, adding that the BBC could afford to pay more.

Members of the NUJ voted by 77 per cent in favour of a strike, while those in Bectu backed action by 79 per cent.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “The decisive turnout and result clearly demonstrates journalists across the BBC are not prepared to put up with paltry pay deals any longer.”

The BBC said: “We’ll do all we can to bring uninterrupted coverage of the Games.”

PA