Even Paris Hilton is on a picket line! Socialite chats to striking BBC employees on day when teachers, train workers and Amazon warehouse staff are also taking industrial action
- Paris Hilton talked with striking BBC staff today as she appeared on Radio 2
- This comes as teachers, train workers and Amazon staff also walk out today
American reality TV star Paris Hilton was spotted chatting with BBC employees on the picket line this morning as they continued their strike this morning – as teachers, train workers, and Amazon staff also walked out.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said about 1,000 BBC journalists began the 24-hour strike at 11am yesterday, as part of an ongoing dispute over the corporation’s plans to cut local radio.
BBC journalists outside Broadcasting House in London were yesterday chanting ‘save local radio’ and ‘keep local radio local’. Others held placards reading ‘stop the cuts’ and ‘save local news’, while one homemade sign read ‘keep BBC radio local’.
And socialite Paris joined the strikers outside BBC Radio 2 Studios this morning as she prepared to promote her new book on The One Show tonight – and the union offered her a flag so she can ‘show solidarity’ with those on strike.
The NUJ tweeted a video of Paris with striking workers and wrote: ‘Hi @parishilton we can send you a flag to help you show solidarity with journalists on strike in their fight to save BBC Local radio services.’
Paris Hilton at BBC Radio 2 Studios promoting her new book ‘Paris: The Memoir’ this morning
Paris Hilton on the BBC NUJ picket line today in London. She smiled and chatted to strikers
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: ‘Staff are striking this week as a last resort – they are under no illusion that the BBC’s plans will undermine already hollowed out local radio content across England.’
She added: ‘It’s not simply a question about jobs and conditions for our members – they believe passionately in the value that quality local content brings to their audiences, journalism that is trusted and relied upon in the communities they serve.
‘The BBC’s raiding of local radio budgets to fund its Digital First strategy is wrongheaded and risks undermining a vital part of our public service broadcasting.
‘People want local relevant news that is accessible, and that should remain a core part of the breadth of BBC output.’
This comes as teachers, National Rail train workers and Amazon warehouse staff also take part in industrial action today.
Thousands of teachers walked out of the classroom today across the country for the the second day in a row, affecting seven million pupils.
BBC journalists outside Broadcasting House in London were yesterday chanting ‘save local radio’ and ‘keep local radio local’ (pictured with Labour MP John McDonnell, third left)
Teachers are striking today following a huge walk-out yesterday – 85 per cent of schools are expected to be affected by the industrial action
The strikes in England and Wales – the latest of seven days of action – have seen massive disruption across primary and secondary schools, with sixth forms also affected.
A series of strikes in Scotland have been halted following negotiations between Holyrood and unions.
It is feared around 85 per cent of schools will be either fully or partially closed by this week’s strike action.
National Rail staff for 14 train operating countries are also striking today, causing chaos for commuters.
This comes after a tube strike yesterday from members of the RMT and Aslef unions.
While Tube staff are not on strike today the Underground is ‘recovering’ from yesterday’s action so services are likely to be affected – and several major stations will be opening late and closing early.
The National Rail strikes – which being taken by staff a train operators such as Southeastern and East Midlands – will take place today and Saturday, and lead to reduced services.
Commuters wait to get into Finsbury Park station in North London today
These strikes today are happening despite the RMT calling off its own Network Rail walkouts which were due to happen today. RMT staff working for the organisation are mainly employed in signalling, maintenance and station management.
Many operators are only running trains between 7am and 7pm today and Saturday, while some routes in the UK will get no services at all on either day.
And Amazon warehouse staff in Coventry in the GMB union are also continuing strike action today.
More than 300 members of staff are on strike this week over a pay dispute, following walkouts at the same site last month. Workers are asking for a pay rise from £10.50 to £150 an hour.
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