BBC Children’s Education Unit members of Bectu and National Union of Journalists vote to strike following redundancy notices

Union members of the Children’s Education Unit at the BBC have voted to strike, following a decision by the broadcaster to axe the remaining jobs there.

Broadcasting union Bectu and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that nine staff members voted unanimously to take strike action.

Redundancy notices were recently issued to staff in the unit.

It followed the recent opening of the new News, Factual and Learning department by Children’s BBC, integrating factual genre programming including Blue Peter, Newsround, and children’s education.

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Helen Ryan, Bectu’s national official, said: “Despite there being an over-subscription for voluntary redundancies in other areas of children’s TV, where these staff could be redeployed, the BBC will not retract the notice of compulsory redundancies.

“The unanimous ‘yes’ vote for strike action demonstrates the anger among Bectu and NUJ members over these job cuts.”