BBC Journalists set to strike

Aren't BBC employees simply asking for what they are entitled to?

News comes this week, that BBC journalists are planning two 48 hour strikes over a huge battle concerning pensions. The National Union of journalists (NUJ) have confirmed that the strike is set to go ahead on  November 5th and 6th and again on November 15th and 16th, with the possibility of further strikes over the Christmas period.

The Union is claiming that the BBC are pushing for journalists to "pay more, work longer and receive lower pensions". This comes after 70% of BBC journalists rejected the BBC's 'final' offer. Journalists make up-to-date news items for us and have even been killed in their profession to take on this crucial role of  taking on the role watchdog. Journalists are more than news reporters. they are the voice of the people.

The NUJ have argued against the possibility of a compromise by stating that all 4,000 of their members also refuse to take on 'any additional duties or volunteer for acting- up duties as part of an indefinite work to rule.

Some of the public have aired their controversial opinions:

Joea states: 'Will we all get a refund? NO! not a cat in hell's chance. If they do not supply us with a service we should be entitled to one.'

Juba Journalist does not see a problem with the BBC coming off the air: 'Why do they need 4000 "journalists" at the BBC in the first place?  It must be hard enough squeezing in enough time for 40 of them in between all the rubbish programmes, repeats and repeats of repeats.'

Republican684 says:  'Journalists'? At the BBC? Nah, you're 'aving laff! Overpaid, creatively and intellectually redundant middle class people no one else would employ, you mean. I support most strikes but I do not support are the over-paid pretend public servants at the beeb and their constant output of crap coupled with propaganda.

How can this be said when journalists strive to make up-to-date news items that provide a talking point for a city, a nation and even the world.  More than 23 journalists alone have been killed reporting on the war in Iraq, in order to take on this crucial role of watchdog. Journalists are more than news reporters. they are the voice of the people.