Friday 5 November 2010

Spot the scab

There's a BBC news journalists strike on today and tomorrow, over pensions (despite the senir management being paid telephone numbers, most BBC staff aren't on top whack).

Because radio and TV news are so public, it's going to be really easy to see who's a dirty, class-traitor scab. Take down their names and remember them - when they need help next time, they're on their own.

Conversely, respect to the famous and rich presenters who've manned the picket lines in solidarity with their lower-paid colleagues, such as Paul Mason, Newsnight's economics editor and all-round good egg. Wearing a suit to a picket is a particularly nice touch. Joining him in solidarity if not in physical form were John Humphrys and Sarah Montague from the flagship Today programme.



Mark Thompson, the director-general of the BBC told them that:
"The public – many of whom are facing difficult employment and economic pressures – will find it very hard to understand why the BBC's service to them should be impaired in this way," 
Mark Thompson earns £834,000 per year, with commensurate pension.

6 comments:

neal said...

No scabs at Midlands Today. I just learned what the weather was going to be like in Nottingham instead. Go Nick Owen!

The Plashing Vole said...

Good for Nick.
Emma Crosby of BBC News 24 is a scab.

The Plashing Vole said...

So is Fred MacAulay of Radio Scotland and Jonathan Dimbleby (unsurprising, given he owns a newspaper chain which pays notoriously low salaries)

The Plashing Vole said...

So is Fred MacAulay of Radio Scotland and Jonathan Dimbleby (unsurprising, given he owns a newspaper chain which pays notoriously low salaries)

Dan said...

I see Nicholas Witchell turned up for work, to report on the Queen bidding farewell to the Ark Royal. No real surprise there.

According to Wikipedia, his full name is Nicholas Newton Henshall Witchell. I wonder if that's actually true?

It was interesting to listen to the news on Radio 4 being presented in a largely amateurish fashion by office juniors.

The Plashing Vole said...

Totally unsurprised by Witchell. Even Prince Charles was caught calling him 'ghastly'.

Add to the scabs Evan Davis, the Today programme's rising star and Sarah Montague, who both crossed a picket line on Saturday morning.