BBC facing strike ballot over job cuts

The National Union of Journalists said the move was in protest against cuts at the Asian Network and at BBC Scotland, BBC News and the World Service.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “There is an agreed system of redeployment which is not being honoured. We are fighting for jobs and quality journalism.

“Recent events have proved that journalism needs to be properly resourced.

“The BBC needs to take the opportunity to halt the assault on frontline journalism and put in place measures to shore up news and current affairs before it is too late.”

Sue Harris, the NUJ’s national broadcasting officer, said: “NUJ members at the BBC are facing an unprecedented threat to their jobs as a result of the BBC management’s licence fee deal of autumn of 2010 and the resulting Delivering Quality First initiative.”

The ballot will be held over the next few weeks.