BBC journalists in Southampton were today continuing strike action over pensions.

More than 60 workers in Southampton walked out yesterday for the 48-hour stoppage while many others refused to cross the picket line.

The dispute was sparked by changes that National Union of Journalists leaders claim will cost some staff tens of thousands of pounds.

Four other unions have accepted the latest proposed deal.

Talking from the picket line at the Havelock Road headquarters, union representative and BBC South reporter Chris Coneybeer said staff deeply regretted having to take industrial action.

He said: “The people here are deeply committed to delivering the news and it is with great regret we have come out on strike. Nobody here wants to stop work but we feel what is happening is deeply unfair.

“For years the directors have been raking it in, now they find a hole and they expect us to pay for it with a pension offer that would be reduced in value every year. It is a pension robbery.”

A BBC spokesman said: “We are disappointed that the NUJ have gone ahead with today’s industrial action. This is despite the other four unions accepting our revised offer, and feedback from staff that indicates the same. It is the public who lose out and we apologise to our audience for any disruption to services.”

A further stoppage is planned for November 15 and 16 and union members will be working to rule throughout the dispute starting from tomorrow.