It’s like a reality show that boosts ratings

It is always interesting when journalists go on strike. 

During the transition period in Bulgaria in the mid to late 90s the journalists from the government owned National Television went on strike because they were not happy with the appointed director.

It was something political and not related to pension funds or salaries. They fought for the freedom of speech.

It was fun to watch the National Television. Every hour they played Let It Be by the Beatles. Instead of regular programming they would broadcast movies and music shows.

Broadcasting from a bunker 

When a similar industrial action was taken at the National radio, which is also owned by the government, the protesters occupied the main building. The presenters who wanted to work had to broadcast from studios underground used for broadcasting during a war time.

Here in the UK journalists don’t have to worry about the freedom of speech. It’s the pension funds that matters.

The BBC star presenters join 48-hour strike and some of the main radio and TV programs will have to deal with the situation.


The possible outcome


According to The Guardian, the BBC director general, Mark Thompson said that the strike would mean "significant loss of earnings" for National Union of Journalists members "without any advantage or benefit in return". 

The newspaper reminds that in 2005 during a similar strike the ratings of the BBC actually went up. 

Due to the ongoing industrial action some lines might be affected...

In countries like France, Germany and Greece calling a strike “inappropriate" may foster a negative reaction towards the government, but in a country with almost no tradition of strikes the general attitude might be different.

It is the second Tube strike in one month for London and the commuters are not happy or supportive.

“I don’t see why they’re striking really. I think it’s just causing trouble stopping everyone to go where they want to going.”, says Samuel who’s living in Uxbridge and uses the unaffected part Metropolitan line.

The strike was organized by the RMT and TSSA unions. Yesterday at 1830 their members walked out over plans to cut 800 ticket office jobs.

Today the Transport for London said about 75% of stations on the network were open. At the same time the RMT described the disruptions as "massive and widespread".

Dimok who was running late for an unexpected business meeting didn’t have the time to find information online and he was trying to figure out on the spot which was the best way to travel. At Northwick Park Tube there was nobody that could help and the automated screen was not clear enough for him. Dimok said, “I support the workers, but there are other ways to negotiate.” Thinking of alternative ways to get to the city he concluded, ”The London Underground should be privatised. “

Ghelani is a seller at a news stand at the same station. Though the Metropolitan line is not completely closed she can feel the difference.

“It’s almost noon and the papers are still around, even the Metro (the free paper) is still there. Usually at 7 o’clock they’re all gone, but today there are still here.”

She feels sorry for the workers, but thinks that the job cuts are part of the development of the technologies.

“They don’t need cashiers any more at the ticket offices.”

It seems most of the commuters were irritated by the disruptions in the city. It is a common attitude that resonates with the words of the Transport Secretary Philip Hammond who described the strike as “completely unnecessary and inappropriate.”


On a personal note I expected disruption, but I didn't have any troubles using the Metropolitan Line and was one hour early for class.