The BBC has apologized for scheduling disruption as employees stage their biggest strike in 13 years in protest over job losses and changes to local content.
Around 1,000 National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members are expected to down tools for 24 hours from 11AM local time and the BBC has acknowledged that it will be a difficult day.
Journalists in Leeds formed a picket line and chanted “hands off local BBC” as the strike got underway this morning. Employees wielded placards featuring quotes including, “Stop the cuts.”
The strike forced the BBC to make changes to scheduled programming on local radio.
Presenter Pat Sissons was among those who downed tools, meaning his show fell off air.
The strike is expected to disrupt the BBC’s coverage of the government’s Budget, a setpiece moment in the UK political calendar in which ministers are expected to maintain support for energy bills and potentially introduce free childcare.
The BBC said: “We’re sorry that audiences will experience some changes to local tv and radio services in England as a result of industrial action by the National Union of Journalists.
We have tried to minimise disruption as much as possible. We are obviously disappointed that the strike has gone ahead.”
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