For many members it will mean being tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds worse off in retirement.  Their rationale for the move - that a potential £2bn hole in the pensions fund means that they have no choice, has been blown apart by reports they've commissioned from independent financial experts - which show the figure to be closer to £1bn. We've outlined our approach to dealing with the deficit  here .

 

That's why we've consistently offered to suspend strike action, if BBC management agree to negotiate a deal once the state of the funds is properly assessed next April, instead of forcing through a new scheme now. At that time, we will all finally know what the actual deficit is - rather than an inflated guesstimate.

 

We’ve been overwhelmed over the past 2 days by the support we've had - not just from staff right the way acoross the BBC, but from the public and other workers.  BBC colleagues in our sister union, Bectu have inundated us with messages of support, with many refusing to cross picket lines to go into work. It’s clear that staff right across the BBC are keen for us to win - as it would mean a better pensions deal for all

 

Thanks to all NUJ members at the BBC and other staff, who've supported the strike by not crossing picket lines, refusing to take on additional duties or declining freelance jobs during the action.

 

There is now a strict work to rule in place for all NUJ members across the corporation, with a further 48-hour strike on 15th/16th November. Further strike dates, including Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and New Years Eve/New Years Day are now under consideration.

 

 

LIVE UPDATES

 

 

Freezing cold, but still a solid picket in place at BBC Belfast

 

Paul Mackney - Former General Secretary of the UCU trade union shows his support on the picket line at Bush House.

 

Worried about her inheritance, Izzy, the daughter of Andy Comfort (Father of Chapel at BBC Hull) joins the Hull picket line

All BBC news and current affairs output affected, across all broadcast platforms, TV, radio and online, both nationally and in the regions.  

3 more reports in today of  fed up BBC managers in the regions, expressing their disaisfaction with Mark Thompson to their staff on picket lines. Thats 11 similar reports in total so far, over the 2 days of action. Favourite quote "Everyone knows he's made a bloody mess - we're just waiting to see if he jumps before he's pushed"

 

Solid picket at BBC Manchester

 

BBC Radio Humberside's assistant editor doing a long show, which he describes to listeners as " Make do and mend." No news broadcasters in at all in Hull. All 3 presenters due on Radio Humberside from 6am to 1.30pm are striking. Managers are playing songs to fill in.

 

High spirits on the BBC Scotland HQ picket line in Glasgow

 

BBC Radio Cumbria is a news-free zone. No local news reports whatsoever!

Celebratory teas and coffees delivered by BBC Radio Cumbria chapel's refreshments officer, Millie Clayton, aged 5!

 

Just in - Another no-show!

production team for Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' refuse to cross picket line!

 

Comic Sally Philips stopped at the picket line with a simple request - 'Sticker me up!'

 

Informed at the picket line about BBC management's attempted pensions robbery, Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman had just one word for them - 'Bastards!'

Tell them to 'foxtrot off' Len!

 

Bush House - Support from Bectu members - it's spreading!

Along with Bectu members up and down the country, the production team for Radio 4's 'Loose Ends' programme cheerfully refuse to cross picket line of their sister union.

 

Solid second day of picketing at BBC Television Centre

 

Non-league giant killers, FC United (who beat their much higher ranked neighbours Rochdale 3-2 last night) are refusing to take part in the BBC's flagship Football Focus programme today, in solidarity with striking BBC journalists.

 

Speaking to The Workers United, club general manager Andy Walsh, said:

 

 

Pickets on both doors of BBC Hull, getting not-stop support from the public. The postman has refused to cross and says the mail will have to wait  'til Monday.

 

This just in: Ian Robertson and his producer refusing to break the stike - despite today being one of the biggest days in the sporting calendar, with England playing the All Blacks!

Several top footie commentators also on strike at Radio 5Live!

 

BBC management have moved heaven and earth to but out a 2-hour version of the Today programme - almost entirely pre-recorded material, but they've clearly shot their bolt - it was followed by a no-show from strikers Fi Glover (so no 'Saturday Live') and Sandi Toksvig (so no 'Excess Baggage').

 

 

8.00am Just in - Picket line at BBC Monitoring now up to full strength!

 

Complete UK-wide picket report now in - Solid pickets in place at all BBC locations!

 

Solid picket at BBC Scotland HQ, Glasgow

 

BBC Belfast just as solid on day 2!

From the picket line: 'Much colder than yesterday - about 3 degC, but being kept warm by listening to the comical efforts of managers to read the news!

 

 

After 5 days of scrambling around, BBC management finally manage to assemble a 'team' of production staff (2 people) to pull together a version of the corporation's flagship Today programme. Comprising almost entirely of pre-recorded material and just 2 hours long, the highlight was Sarah Montague introducing the programme with the words "Good morning, it's six o-clock" - only to be corrected and reminded that the programme has started at seven! Hardly auntie's finest hour!

 DAY 2

 

BBC Stoke - Members devise pensions dispute resolution plan

 

 

BBC Pensions strike – Its paralysis, says NUJ
BBC news and current affairs output has been paralysed by a strike of journalistic staff. The 48-hour walkout, the first of two planned for this month, started at midnight last night and saw mass walkouts at BBC Centres across the country.

 

NUJ General Secretary, Jeremy Dear said: “Support for today’s action has been rock solid with flagship programmes forced off air and just a few skeleton services run by senior managers.

 

“Members are united in their determination to secure a fair pension settlement for BBC staff. But current proposals mean people paying more, working longer and getting less. If the BBC simply agreed to suspend planned changes until the true size of the deficit in the scheme is known the threat of further strike action could be lifted without it costing a single penny.”

 

 

 

 

Members of both the Scottish and Westminster Parliament had strong support for the union’s strike action, while they joined scores of BBC Scotland journalists, fellow trade unionists and other campaigners at a midday rally outside BBC Scotland’s headquarters in Glasgow.

 

Scottish National Party MSP, Christina McKelvie, the Deputy General Secretary of the Scottish TUC, Dave Moxham, both spoke of the BBC’s proposals mirror wider threats to pensions in the public sector. Jim Malone of the Fire Brigades Union told the rally: “we need quality journalism and world class journalism on the BBC deserves decent wages and pensions".

 

Other speakers included Eddie Graham from the Musicians Union and local Glasgow MP, Tom Harris, who says he is deeply worried for the future of the BBC and public sector broadcasting when the Prime Minister can use terms such as “delicious” to describe 16% cuts in BBC funding. “It is just as well David Cameron’s comments have been exposed,” says Harris.

 

The chapel will continue to run pickets into this evening, with members back for day two of the industrial action campaign from 6am tomorrow.

 

Pictures of the rally were kindly donated by for David Gordon www.davidgordon.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- In Cornwall Bectu members joined the picket line and refused to cross it
- PCS refuse to do BBC Radio interview for Coventry and Warwickshire
- Welsh Language Society refusing to give interviews to BBC about major demonstration they are holding tomorrow

 

- The Parliamentary Staff Branch of Unite the Union have visited the BBC Millbank picket line
- Reports of en masse refusals of Bectu members (including camera operators, satellite truck engineers and video editors) to cross picket lines at Newcastle and Southampton

 

 

 

 

 

 

- We are overwhelmed by messages of support - thank you and read them here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green Party Co-Convenor (left) Patrick Harvie joins BBC Scotland NUJ pickets outside Glasgow HQ 

 

Belfast and District Press Branch officials joined their NUJ colleagues to offer support to the strikers outside Broadcasting House, Belfast. NEC member for Northern Ireland and chair of the Belfast and District Press Branch Bob Miller spent several hours on the picket line with Deputy FoC of the Belfast Telegraph Chapel Brian Pelan and they were joined by the General and Deputy General Secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) trade union Brian Campfield and Alison Millar were also on hand to offer their support. 

 

 

- BBC Newcastle expect to be carrying a regional TV programme from Leeds because so many have stayed out and hope to have pickets out from 5am-5pm tomorrow.

- BBC Arabic television has a strapline which says 'we apologise to viewers'! Only broadcasting pre-recorded material, with an hourly news read through.

 

 

 

- Radio Shetland is off air

 

 

BBC Midlands (Thanks to Midlands TUC for the pics)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of both the Scottish and Westminster Parliament shopwed their supportby joining scores of BBC Scotland journalists, fellow trade unionists and other campaigners at a midday rally outside BBC Scotland's headquarters in Glasgow.

 

Scottish National Party MSP, Christina McKelvie, the Deputy General Secretary of the Scottish TUC, Dave Moxham, both spoke of the BBC's proposals mirror wider threats to pensions in the public sector. Jim Malone of the Fire Brigades Union told the rally: "we need quality journalism and world class journalism on the BBC deserves decent wages and pensions".

 

Other speakers included Eddie Graham from the Musicians Union and local Glasgow MP, Tom Harris, who says he is deeply worried for the future of the BBC and public sector broadcasting when the Prime Minister can use terms such as "delicious" to describe 16% cuts in BBC funding.  "It is just as well David Cameron's comments have been exposed." says Harris.

 

The chapel will continue to run pickets into this evening, with members back for day two of the industrial action campaign from 6am tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

- Good turnout on the picket lines in Leeds.

- ITV Yorkshire have been filming Leeds pickets and a Yorkshire Post/Evening Post photographer has been.

- NASUWT members are on the way to show support to Jersey picket line.

 

- Norwich got support from FBU, Unison, Unite, Green Party, Norwich Community Action and Norfolk coalition against the cuts.

- Midlands TUC media blog about the BBC pensions strike http://midlandstucmedia.blogspot.com

- TUC Midlands support picket line outside BBC Mailbox in Birmingham http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/regions_info_midlands.cfm

 

 

 

- BBC Lincolnshire reports good support from the public. People say we're right and should stick at it. 

- ITV News in Yorkshire & Hull Daily Mail have interviewed Andy Comfort, FoC at BBC Hull. 

- Jake Zuckerman, Lincoln FoC, has been interviewed by The Lincolnshire Echo and Lincs FM.
- In Hull, we've had teachers and council workers come over and lend their support. 

- Cambridge chapel had support from local trades council, NUT and Unite.

- Flagship current affairs programme Good Morning Ulster off the air.

- BBC Radio Ulster Stephen Nolan show (9-10.30) off air.

- BBC Radio Ulster Talkback (12-1.30) off the air. 

 

 

 

- The most southerly picket line is in Jersey outside BBC Jersey with an all female chapel and we have got local paper and chanel island TV coverage.

- Picket lines in Guernsey, Truro (BBC Cornwall), Ipswich, Plymouth, Shrewsbury (Shropshire), Worcester (BBC Hereford and Worcester), Stoke, Cambridge (BBC Look East TV and Radio Cambridgeshire) which had local paper coverage, plus PA and ITV.

 

- NUJ members at BBC Cornwall, in Truro, mounted a picket line from 5.45am today. No NUJ members crossed the line. The action left the BBC Cornwall on-line desk completely unstaffed.

 

 

 

- Good turnout at picket lines in Hull. Support from Bectu colleagues, many of whom haven't come in. We've had visits from Unison and the NUT, as well as Hull City Council's Leader.

- BBC Open Centre, run by Hull City Council, is closed today. A group of youngsters turned up and, confused by the BBC Pensions Robbery poster, said "Oh, it's closed because there's been a robbery!" - Correct! 

 

11.50am

A picture speaks a thousand words....

 

Solid picket. "It's like the Marie Celeste in there!"

Video report

 

 

 

 

- Moira Stuart refused to work today at network radio

- Radio 3 breakfast presenter refused to cross picket line

- Bectu members refusing to cross W1 pickets at Bush House, Henry Woor House, Yalding House, Western House

- Staff joining the NUJ on the picket line

- Bengali service overnight team walked out at midnight

- Service head in Dhakar having to do the work. 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture from Brian Morgan, Freelance, Cardiff and SE Wales Branch

 

Very nasty rain, picket line joined by Leanne Wood Assembly Member, Wales (below the C in BBC, red sign centre). Pickets report that an Equity member refused to cross picket line earlier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Bristol non-NUJ staff won't cross the picket line

 

- Postman refuses to crosspicket lines at Millbank

- BBC employees refuse to cross picket lines at Bush House and TV Centre

 

 

8.45am

- BBC HP chief, Lucy Adams on Radio 5, claiming "There is no more money on the table" "Other unions have accepted that."

 

Response from NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear:
"Lucy Adams' claims that the BBC must take this action now are completely false. Neither she nor the BBC know the real size of deficit is. What BBC management do know is that when the pension fund valuation is published next year, the defecit is likely to be shown to be far smaller than the £2bn figure they currently claim and the rationale for the changes they propose will be shot to pieces.

"As far as her claim that other unions have accepted that there is no more money, not only is that false, but our sister union, Bectu, have warned the BBC that should the defecit be shown to be below £1.5bn, they will ballot their members for industrial action!"

 

- 95 per cent of world service newsroom out on strike

- Many Bectu members not in work

 

 

 

 

 

- A dozen are picketing at BBC Scotland HQ (Glasgow)

- BBC Scotland controller, Ken MacQuarrie, is unable to confirm that today's scheduled meeting of the audience council may go ahead. At least 1 member of the council has confirmed that they will not cross the picket line.

- 7am news bulletin read out by the News and current affairs editor, with global BBC strike reduced to penultimate story (prior to a story about a retiring lollpypop man)

- After days of desperate scrambling and repeated refusals, BBC managers have finally found someone prepared to sit in front of the camera and present BBC Breakfast.

- The World Today (BBC World Service) has been pulled.

- BBC bosses forced to abandon "Good Morning Scotland" flagship breakfast radio programme.

 

- All NUJ members out at BBC Cornwall

 

 

 

 

- Today programme off air

- BBC Breakfast has none of the usual presenters and there is only one of them

 

BBC Hull 5am

 

 

- Reports of mass walkout at BBC TV Centre - 30 strong picket

- Report of mass walkout at BBC Bush House - 20 strong picket

- Mass walkout at BBC Glasgow HQ - 100% solid

- BBC News 24 forced to run an old repeat of 'Hardtalk'

- BBC Five Live running taped shows

- BBC World News America off air

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBC London – TV Centre/White City, Bush House and Millbank. BBC Scotland - Glasgow, Edinburgh, Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeen and Inverness. BBC Cardiff, BBC Bristol, BBC Belfast. BBC Manchester, BBC Merseyside and BBC Lancashire. BBC Tunbridge Wells, BBC Southampton, BBC Nottingham, BBC Leeds, BBC Hull, BBC Newcastle, BBC Birmingham, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, BBC Lincolnshire, BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Monitoring at Caversham, BBC Jersey, BBC Stoke, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Spotlight, BBC Radio Devon, BBC Radio Suffolk, BBC Look East, BBC Radio Norfolk and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. 

 

Outside of the UK pickets are expected at BBC sites in Kabul, Washington, Paris, Rome, Los Angeles and Istanbul. 

 

 

Events:

 

Please attend - NUJ LONDON: Supporters asked to go to TV Centre for 12 noon on Friday 5 November, London W12

 

Please attend - NUJ SCOTLAND: Rally against BBC pensions robbery, Friday 5th November at 11.30 amDirections to the BBC Scotland building on Pacific Quay - http://bit.ly/cKvDdU

 

Messages of support from other trade unions and politicians

 

 

More information:

 

Email strike reports, pictures from picket lines and messages of support to: campaigns@nuj.org.uk 

 

Press enquiries: please email campaigns@nuj.org.uk or call 020 7843 6380 or 020 7843 6381

 

For background information on the dispute leading up to the strike action - 

 

 

 

 

 

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