NUJ members at BBC Radio Foyle have passed a vote of no confidence in the corporation’s leadership following the launch of the station’s new half-hour morning news show on Monday.
The National Union of Journalists’ move follows criticism in the north west of the decision to cut output from its Derry studio. In a raft of changes, Radio Foyle’s two-hour morning show has been replaced by a half-hour broadcast from 8.30am to 9am daily. Radio Foyle’s daily lunch time news show has also been dropped.
BBC NI director Adam Smyth said the station would serve as a production centre for local and regional output.
However, a spokesman for the NUJ said its Radio Foyle members had passed a vote of no-confidence in management. They also disputed claims that staffing levels would remain unchanged at Foyle.
“A number of our members remain formally at risk of redundancy. The NUJ has not received any written assurances from management that members of staff in Foyle are no longer at risk of losing their jobs. We are also concerned that valued members employed on short term contracts will not be replaced,” the spokesman said.
The NUJ official said uncertainty about the future had “weighed heavily” on the mental well-being of its members.
“The chapel (branch) feels that its members, and BBC licence fee holders, have been failed by the lack of clarity, communication and thought given to this process in recent months. Until the issues outlined can be resolved, it is with regret that we withdraw our confidence in the senior management of BBC NI,” he said.
A BBC spokesman said Radio Foyle’s role as a newsgathering and production hub had been secured and would continue to deliver “great content.”
He said: “We have confidence in BBC staff and the plans that we have introduced.”
The spokesman said the BBC’s plans benefited from “detailed engagement” with staff and trade unions and this would continue. The immediate priority was the enhancement of BBC digital provision, he said.
