Journalists at the BBC’s Arabic Service are continuing strike action against unfair working conditions.

 

Journalists at the Arabic service decided to celebrate the success of their strike and First day of Ramadan by gathering together to have Ramadan Iftar in front of Broadcasting House in London.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The strike began at midnight on Monday August 1, and reports from picket lines across the UK show solid report for the industrial action against compulsory redundancies.

 

BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme was disrupted this morning as thousands of journalists joined the second NUJ one-day strike. Across the BBC networks programmes were affected, and the strikers had considerable encouragement from the public. There was backing, too, from other unions, including strong encouragement from other broadcasters in the north east of England.

 

Here are some of the pictures from picket lines around the UK -

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solid support in Merseyside with many non-members including presenters not crossing the picket line. Photo includes picketers and Liverpool Wavertree MP Luciana Berger with sports reporter Gary Flintoff, Craig Lowe and breakfast producer Mairead Smyth. 

 

 

 

Hannah Bayman and Sharuna Sagar, both presenters and journalists at BBC Look North in Newcastle, on the picket line today. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures from Nottingham are included in the report - 
2011 Nottingham Strike over compulsory redundancies at the BBC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birmingham pictures by Charles Davis

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBC Radio Humberside's popular Sports talk and evening programmes are off the air tonight, replaced by taped programmes.

 

BBC Lincolnshire are having to share programming with other radio stations.

 

The managing editor of BBC Radio Humberside had to produce the Breakfast Show, having had a crash course on the ENPS computer system.

 

Some BECTU members have refused to cross picket lines, causing rota issues especially for the 10.25pm bulletin on BBC1. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Belfast,  the flagship BBC Radio Ulster show Good Morning Ulster did not go on air and there were no breakfast TV bulletins. No Stephen Nolan Show from 9am to 10.30am and no Gerry Anderson Show from 10.30am. The only bit of live local broadcasting in Northern Ireland has been radio bulletins read by the Editor of News.

 

 

 

 

 

The strike at BBC Bristol was solid and all the Bristol staff NUJ journalists stayed out including senior journalists and presenters.  There was a picket at the entrances to the BBC Bristol studios.  Television regional news programmes were greatly disrupted and are being reduced to a only few minutes.  The lunchtime regional bulletin was presented by someone from the BBC radio management who looked very uncomfortable.

 

 

 

 

 

Hello from the picket line in Hull. BBC Radio Humberside's schedule has been hit with freelance presenters being brought in for Breakfast, lunch & the Evening Show. The 5pm Newshour is off air, replaced by music. They had to play music on the all speech flagship Breakfast Show to replace the sports bulletins. Instead of clips on the local rugby league & football, listeners were treated to a story about Heart of Midlothian Football Club in Edinburgh - a tad out of our patch!

 

BBC Lincolnshire's Breakfast Show was also affected and there've been no regional television bulletins. The  tv editor is wearing a suit in case he has to present!

 

 

 

 

Support for the strike is solid, and there's a great atmosphere on the picket line. Radio Sussex is having to share output with a neighbouring station in order to fill airtime.

 

 

There's been a great turnout on the picket line, with supporters from PCS and the GMB joining the protest. Output has been badly affected, with major news programmes shortened. Strikers handed leaflets to cricket supporters on their way to nearby Trent Bridge. 

 

 

 

 

Solid support from members in Manchester. Radio Manchester breakfast show presenter refused to cross the picket line so the manager presented the show. No tv or online journalists are working. Good support from public and other local trade unions. 

 

BBC Coventry  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBC Leeds picket  -

 

 

 

 

Five NUJ members were out at BBC Radio Suffolk in Ipswich from 7.30am including drive time presenter Stephen Foster. Three staff members refused to cross the picket line, including the mid morning presenter James Hazell. Positive support from public and on twitter. Local paper Ipswich Evening Star/EADT came to take photo to run tomorrow. 

 

BBC Arabic Service -

 

 

 

BBC World Service, Bush House  -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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