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STRIKING journalists at BBC Birmingham were outraged yesterday after an executive paid £420,000 a year allegedly called their strike “a jolly.”
Asian Network journalists working at BBC Mailbox walked out yesterday over the axing of one of its two editors.
Staff are also fuming over wider cuts that have seen popular shows shunted to London.
Radio division head Helen Boaden allegedly told an NUJ rep: “If the strike’s not a jolly, then why don’t you call it off?”
Rep Keith Murray branded the remark outrageous.
“It isn’t a jolly for the person whose job has been axed,” he stormed.
“It isn’t a jolly for the rest of them who are battling on, understaffed, in a situation of low morale.”
Three years ago the Asian Network’s budget was halved and about 30 members of staff were sacked, the NUJ said.
A BBC spokesman said the station still broadcast “much of its output” from Birmingham.
The BBC spent just £12.40 of each £145.50 licence fee in the Midlands last year.
