View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
July 10, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 8:09pm

Journalists agree strike ballot in BBC pay row

By Press Gazette

NUJ members at the BBC are to hold an official strike vote over this year’s 2.6 per cent pay offer.

According to the NUJ, feelings are running high over the fact that pay
rises for executives have been far higher.
Director general Mark Thompson has received an 8.7 per cent rise to
£619,000 after leading a cost-cutting programme which has seen 6,000
jobs axed.

The NUJ believes pay for managers has increased by 30 per cent over the last three years.

NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “BBC managers cannot be
surprised by the immense anger with which their actions have been met
by hard-working staff. Whilst hundreds of journalists were hard at work
on one of the busiest news days of the year BBC managers were
celebrating huge pay awards.

“The fact that money can be found to reward managers who have
axed jobs, cut programme budgets and presided over a pensions fiasco
but cannot be found to save vital jobs in current affairs shows where
the current BBC management’s priorities lie.

“Their shame-faced refusal to negotiate simply adds to the sense that
there is one law for fat cat bosses and another for dedicated BBC staff
“.

The decision to ballot members was taken at a meeting of BBC unions reps today.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

NUJ broadcasting organiser Paul McLaughlin said: “BBC reps have
made it clear they will no longer accept the management’s double
standards or their continued refusal to listen to staff concerns.

"BBC management have got their priorities all wrong – huge increases
for Executives, a pay cut and worse pension for everyone lese.

“Members are calling for action and we will be holding a strike ballot unless the BBC comes to its senses”.

Strike ballots are expected to be organised by all four BBC unions: the NUJ, BECTU, Amicus and the Musicians Union.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network