LONDON, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The National Union of Journalists is staging a 48-hour strike against the BBC in a dispute over pensions, forcing some shows off the air, the company said.
The union, which has 4,100 members at the BBC, voted to reject management's "final" offer, the BBC reported Friday.
Radio 4's "Today" program was called off, and some shows on 5 Live were replaced by recordings.
After the strike ends Sunday, union members plan an indefinite "work-to-rule" action, taking full breaks and only working minimum prescribed hours. The union also is planning another 48-hour walkout for Nov. 1516.
The dispute stems from the BBC's plans to cut a 1.5 billion pound ($2.4 billion) pension deficit by capping increases in pensionable pay at 1 percent, starting in April.
Under the BBC's latest offer, employees would still have pensions higher than most in the private sector.
The offer has been accepted by members of the other main BBC union, Bectu, as well as non-unionized BBC staff.
The Daily Telegraph reported that leading broadcasters, including Fiona Bruce, Huw Edwards and Martha Kearney, are taking part in the action.
