Broadcasting union Bectu is holding a strike ballot over the BBC’s plans to move dozens of jobs from Birmingham to Bristol and cut TV and radio production.
The union has accused the BBC of refusing to withdraw dates for the relocation of programmes and to enter into “meaningful discussions” over the proposed changes and impact on staff.
BECTU said in a statement: “BECTU members have raised a series of key questions about the BBC’s desire to scale back production in Birmingham; if implemented the move would not only decimate a skilled production community and deny future generations the opportunity of work in the sector, but it would add to the BBC’s costs when the stated aim is to save money.”
Last month more than 100 BBC workers took to the streets to protest outside Birmingham’s Central Library against sweeping cuts to programme-making in the city.
Staff are angry that the Factual Unit, which makes the likes of Gardeners’ World and The Hairy Bikers, is to move to Bristol, with jobs also going from radio, current affairs and news operations.
In total the head count in Birmingham will fall from 600 to about 450 while nationally, the corporation is set to shed 2,000 jobs by 2016. The BBC has claimed that about 60 per cent of Birmingham staff affected will be offered jobs in Bristol.
The ballot is currently underway and will run until January 6.
