The Newsroom

BBC News Journalists to stage 2 48 Hour Strikes

5th-6th & 15th-16th November (October 2010)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
NG
noggin Founding member
House posted:
noggin posted:
Some freelance journalists and presenters might be NUJ members and not wish to cross a picket line, however I believe the advice (from the union) is that they should work (as to do otherwise would be a breach of contract?) but not do work other than their normal duties (i.e. not to do the work that those striking would normally do). (This is the BECTU advice in such situations)


How does such a situation work for freelance relief presenters? Presumably many of them wouldn't be working if the strike wasn't on - as those in the usual shifts would presumably be at work - but they are contracted to present when usual presenters are absent?


Doubt any presenter who is an NUJ member - freelance or staff - would cross a picket line to appear on camera. Just not worth it.
NG
noggin Founding member
If the midnight bulletin is recorded - shouldn't it have a "Recorded" bug on it?
RO
Ronant
Steve in Pudsey posted:
So, sweepstake on how long before the first unscheduled episode of Hard Talk turns up?


Urmm didn't have to wait long, its on again now!
HO
House
noggin posted:
House posted:
noggin posted:
Some freelance journalists and presenters might be NUJ members and not wish to cross a picket line, however I believe the advice (from the union) is that they should work (as to do otherwise would be a breach of contract?) but not do work other than their normal duties (i.e. not to do the work that those striking would normally do). (This is the BECTU advice in such situations)


How does such a situation work for freelance relief presenters? Presumably many of them wouldn't be working if the strike wasn't on - as those in the usual shifts would presumably be at work - but they are contracted to present when usual presenters are absent?


Doubt any presenter who is an NUJ member - freelance or staff - would cross a picket line to appear on camera. Just not worth it.


That's what I would have thought - just wondered though as your post said suggested otherwise.



Oh, and I was right about Hard Talk. I'll take my £5 thanks Steve Wink


Edit: I've just thought - the timing will mean Newswatch won't be produced or broadcast this week, in arguably one of the more interesting times for it to be on.
BP
Bob Paisley
I do think they should've put a 'Recorded' dog up. I was all ready to write a damning message, accusing Chris Eakin of betraying his fellow workers by selling out to the corporate interests of the man, when I noticed the slight imperfection on the bottom of the astons that told me it was a recording.
HO
House
Bob Paisley posted:
I do think they should've put a 'Recorded' dog up. I was all ready to write a damning message, accusing Chris Eakin of betraying his fellow workers by selling out to the corporate interests of the man, when I noticed the slight imperfection on the bottom of the astons that told me it was a recording.


I was exactly the same. Be interesting to know how many (or rather, few) people are currently staffing the galleries.
SP
Steve in Pudsey
House posted:
Oh, and I was right about Hard Talk. I'll take my £5 thanks Steve Wink


Sure, as soon as I get your £10 entry fee :p

Is any disruption expected on BBC Parliament? I'd imagine that there would some journo involvement in the editorial side of producing highlights pacakges etc.
NG
noggin Founding member
House posted:
That's what I would have thought - just wondered though as your post said suggested otherwise.


The advice remains valid for production journalists - however I suspect anyone on-screen (particularly presenters) will ignore it, on the basis that crossing a picket line and making the statement of appearing on-screen during a strike, is not likely to do anything positive for their career. (Witness the stellar rises of the previous on-screen presenters who appeared during the 2005 strike...)
NG
noggin Founding member
House posted:
Bob Paisley posted:
I do think they should've put a 'Recorded' dog up. I was all ready to write a damning message, accusing Chris Eakin of betraying his fellow workers by selling out to the corporate interests of the man, when I noticed the slight imperfection on the bottom of the astons that told me it was a recording.


I was exactly the same. Be interesting to know how many (or rather, few) people are currently staffing the galleries.


BECTU aren't on strike - so I would imagine the resources team are running as normal-ish - though they may not have any people producing them.

I noticed there was no link into Hardtalk. I wonder if they have managed to find anyone recognisable to present...
SP
Steve in Pudsey
House posted:
I was exactly the same. Be interesting to know how many (or rather, few) people are currently staffing the galleries.


Wouldn't many of the people in the gallery be BECTU members, so not on strike?
HO
House
noggin posted:
House posted:
That's what I would have thought - just wondered though as your post said suggested otherwise.


The advice remains valid for production journalists - however I suspect anyone on-screen (particularly presenters) will ignore it, on the basis that crossing a picket line and making the statement of appearing on-screen during a strike, is not likely to do anything positive for their career. (Witness the stellar rises of the previous on-screen presenters who appeared during the 2005 strike...)


And presumably they're unlikely to receive punishment, even if breaking contracts as you'd suggested was possible, as it would be such a public affair?

noggin posted:
House posted:
Bob Paisley posted:
I do think they should've put a 'Recorded' dog up. I was all ready to write a damning message, accusing Chris Eakin of betraying his fellow workers by selling out to the corporate interests of the man, when I noticed the slight imperfection on the bottom of the astons that told me it was a recording.


I was exactly the same. Be interesting to know how many (or rather, few) people are currently staffing the galleries.


BECTU aren't on strike - so I would imagine the resources team are running as normal-ish - though they may not have any people producing them.

I noticed there was no link into Hardtalk. I wonder if they have managed to find anyone recognisable to present...


And you're right, I'd forgotten about BECTU workers having accepted the deal.

Re: Link into Hardtalk - why didn't they just play out the 11:00 hour? Since it's the same edition of Hardtalk and it was the same weather forecast, why not include Chris introducing it? Or did he do something like give a timecheck?
GI
ginnyfan
BBC World is showing the repeat of the previous hour of BBC WN America.

Newer posts