Striking staff finding support

Friday 21 July 2023

BBC Guernsey's staff have carried out a 24-hour strike in protest at the cuts planned to local radio across the British Isles, with supporters honking as they drive past, visiting them on the picket line, and delivering baked goods to keep their morale up.

The journalists, producers, and presenters based at Bulwer Avenue in Guernsey walked out at 11:00 yesterday.

Those striking included BBC Guernsey's Political Editor John Fernandez who was working at the Royal Court for the States of Deliberation meeting when the strike started.

"I walked out," he said.

Today he was outside the front of BBC Guernsey's studio - which is on a complex shared with ITV Channel Islands and JT at Richmond Corner. 

Members of the @NUJofficial in Guernsey on strike today. #KeepBBCLocalRadioLocal pic.twitter.com/tzoGlioQ7O

— John Fernandez (@JohnFernandez1) July 20, 2023

Other staff striking today included presenter Tim Hunt and journalist Nik de Garis.

They explained how the latest cuts don't directly affect the Channel Islands but they are striking in solidarity with colleagues across the country.

Mr de Garis said this is the third time editorial staff in Guernsey have walked out in protest at the changes.

"This is a 24-hour strike, and we've done two one day strikes," he explained, adding that other staff at BBC Guernsey are in support of the strikes but their hands are tied by managerial decisions made off island.

Both Mr de Garis and Mr Hunt explained that the changes - which include pan-island shows presented from Jersey - have had a wider impact on staffing as there are fewer opportunities for training and progression.

The change to four-hour shows was made during the covid pandemic to reduce the number of staff in the building at any time. Shorter shows of 90 minutes, two hours or three hours are considered to be better for less experienced presenters.

Unlike commercial radio, BBC local radio stations may play as few as seven songs an hour meaning a lot of the content is speech based. A four-hour show may be too much of a challenge for a less experienced journalist, meaning those opportunities are being reduced.

WHAT A WEEK!

We’ve had the most amazing time doing our breakfast show from Beau Sejour in our Island games studio. This will long be remembered as a career highlight! pic.twitter.com/NfSobrJpIU

— Nik de Garis (@Nikdegaris) July 14, 2023

Motorists were honking their horns as they passed the picket line, with Mr Fernandez saying politicians including Adrian Gabriel, Chris Le Tissier and others have stopped by to show their support for local programming which includes political commentary on States meetings and related matters.

The strike came to an end at 11:00 today.