BBC Arabic Service NUJ members on strike today

NUJ members at the BBC’s Arabic Service began a 48 hours strike today in a dispute over work rotas being imposed by management.

The union says more than 160 journalists across the Arabic service are involved.

NUJ organiser Laura Davison said: "We are prepared to take the problem to the conciliation service ACAS, but the BBC has not taken us up on the offer.

“Journalists at the BBC’s Arabic Service regard management’s proposal as unworkable, believe it will disrupt people’s lives, increase levels of work-related stress, and prove to be a false economy."