Members of the National Union of Journalists at the BBC across the East Midlands are to strike for 24 hours over changes that will see cuts to BBC Local Radio services.
The walkout will involve colleagues from BBC Radio Nottingham, East Midlands Today and BBC News Online.
Nottingham there will be a picket line outside the BBC Centre on London Road from 11am on Wednesday 15 March.
The strike will also include NUJ members at BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Derby.
Kevin Stanley, NUJ Rep for the BBC Nations and Regions, said:
“Unusually, this industrial action is not about pay. And it’s not even about funding.
“The BBC wants to move some of its existing money into digital services, which we support.
“But we don’t agree that they should use funds from within BBC England, which already underwent a raft of cuts just two years ago.
“The cuts to output will mean existing, local programming stopping after 2 pm on weekdays and for much of the weekend.
“In its place will be regional programmes.
“Everyone knows that people in Nottingham, for example, have little interest in what’s happening in Derby.
“Equally, listeners in Lutterworth have little in common with those in Littleover.”
“Our members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and a work to rule.
“This means that some of the output our audiences enjoy may be affected. But after months of talks, the BBC has not offered enough concessions to avoid this industrial action.
“Any resolution to the dispute will be guided not by the union but by our members – in a democratic and open way.”
