BBC Tamil, Sinhala services face interruption
[TamilNet, Thursday, 12 May 2005, 14:42 GMT]
The BBC’s Tamil and Sinhala services may not broadcast on May 23, May 31 and June 1 as staff may join colleagues across the Corporation in industrial action against proposed job cuts and plans to privatise some functions, sources said.
BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union), which employed, contract and freelance workers in broadcasting, film, theatre, entertainment, leisure, interactive media and allied areas has called the stoppage. The first strike would be on Monday May 23rd, from midnight to midnight, followed by a second 48-hour action on Tuesday May 31st and Wednesday June 1st, from midnight to midnight. If the dispute is not resolved, the Tamil and Sinhala services may face further disruptions, with Luke Crawley, BECTU's lead BBC official quoted as saying: "These are the opening shots in a campaign to force the BBC to negotiate with the trade unions.”
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