Union members at ��ý Northern Ireland vote for strike action

4 May 2023

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members at ��ý Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over cuts to jobs and changes to programmes.

In a ballot 82% voted to strike, while 95% backed action short of a strike.

��ý Northern Ireland said in November that it was planning to close 36 posts in an attempt to save £2.3m and invest more money in online services.

It said some shows on ��ý Radio Ulster and ��ý Radio Foyle would be affected.

��ý Radio Foyle's two-hour breakfast show was replaced by a half-hour show last month.

��ý director general Tim Davie had previously said proposed cuts to programming and jobs at ��ý Radio Foyle were a "painful saving".

After the ballot results on Thursday the NUJ said it planned to consult union representatives and members about when industrial action would take place and in what form.

The NUJ said it had received a "clear mandate from colleagues" that they "wouldn't stand by and let valued local services be withdrawn".

It added: "As ever, our door remains open if the senior management wish to talk."

��ý 'will work with unions'

The ��ý said it was disappointed by the result of the ballots.

"Foyle's role as a newsgathering and production hub has been secured and it will continue to deliver great content for ��ý audiences across the north-west and beyond.," it said.

"As we said back in November 2022, our ambition was to achieve the savings required without the need for compulsory redundancies.

"In accordance with that commitment, suitable roles have been offered to everyone who was 'at risk' of redundancy."

The corporation said there would be "no ��ý headcount reduction in Foyle".

"We have moved peak and off-peak Radio Ulster programming to the north-west; we reintroduced two posts which had previously been earmarked for closure; and we have retained daily news in peak-time, with an exclusively local focus," it added.

"We will continue to work constructively with staff and the trade unions in the interests of everyone involved and the audiences we serve."