The National Union of Journalists is to ballot for industrial action after it was announced BBC Radio Foyle's flagship breakfast news programme is to be cut to just 30 minutes.
In a blow for local journalism, the programme will be reduced from its current two-hour slot from 7-9am. The news was announced by BBC Northern Ireland on Thursday afternoon.
The regional radio station will also lose its half-hour programme at lunchtime, broadcast each day at 1pm, but the BBC say hourly radio news bulletins will continue at the Derry radio station.
Read more: Radio Foyle flagship breakfast news show to be cut to 30 minutes
Proposed cuts to the station attracted protests from politicians, community figures and the National Union of Journalists.
The changes were described by the NUJ as "radical changes to the morning programme schedule at BBC Radio Foyle."
A union spokesperson said: "In changes announced today the current two-hour Morning Show on Radio Foyle is to be replaced by a 30-minute programme.
"The union had been engaged in negotiations on the proposed changed but after talks on Monday management has decided to press ahead with changes, despite request from the NUJ to continue talks and allow a trial of a one-hour programme."
The spokesperson added: "Ten staff based at BBC Radio Foyle remain at risk of redundancy."
Reacting to the development, Séamus Dooley, Assistant General Secretary said: “The announcement of a new schedule, due to come into effect on April 24, is deeply disappointing and leaves the NUJ with no option but to put this matter into dispute.
"As a result of the strong stand taken by the NUJ and the massive public support for BBC Radio Foyle across the north west region, we have succeeded in securing hourly radio bulletins and retaining the principle of a breakfast news programme on the station.
"The NUJ had proposed a one-hour Breakfast Show for a trial period but management has dug in on the idea of a 30 minute programme."
Mr Dooley continued: "Having entered into this process in good faith we were very disappointed with the hard-line position taken by management.
"We have now written to management and informed them that we dispute the matter and will have to move forward with a ballot for industrial action.
"There is still time for management to reconsider its position. The NUJ, public representatives and community groups made a strong and coherent case for the retention on the Breakfast Show.
"The public reaction, reflected in petitions, meetings, rallies and parliamentary interventions, is a measure of the importance of BBC Radio Foyle. The retention of regional bulletins and the principle that there should be a Breakfast Show from the Foyle studio are significant achievements.
"Having reached a measure of consensus it is entirely unreasonable to pull the plug and to announce a new, diminished schedule with a fanfare which will not succeed in convincing anyone that this is in the best interest of BBC Radio Foyle or staff."
He added: "We will continue to campaign for a stronger commitment to Radio Foyle by the BBC and are confident that we have the support of the people who matter most – the daily listeners across the North West.”
READ NEXT:
Radio Foyle proposed cuts will leave station 'unsustainable', says Colum Eastwood
-
Cost of Living: Delayed £600 energy support vouchers can be redeemed after March 31 deadline
- Glenshane Pass road safety concern amid industrial action and snow warning
- Alliance Party 'signal intent' in Derry with new office
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
