The Picket Line

Two of the 160 engineers and technicians who maintain the BBC's buildings in London and Elstree man a picket line outside Broadcasting House today. They are not striking over pay, but about the very real threat of losing their jobs. Over half of them have been given notice of redundancy by the latest facilities management contractor to be engaged by the BBC. Many cleaning staff working for the contractor are also in danger of being made redundant. These people work tirelessly and almost unseen every day to keep our workplace clean and safe. Apart from the tragedy of people losing their jobs, there are serious worries about the health and safety of all of us who work in these buildings if things such as lifts and air conditioning are not properly maintained should these redundancies go ahead.

Along with the swingeing cuts which continue to be made to BBC programme staff and technicians, I cannot help but wonder how long this can go on for and where it will all end.