'Enders filming 'unaffected' by strike

Filming on BBC soap EastEnders is going ahead as planned today despite a one-day strike which is being carried out by crew members.

A number of camera operators and sound technicians have walked out in a row over travel-to-work payments, which have been axed in an attempt to cut costs.

Today's strike only affects programme crew as they are employed separately by BBC Studios and Post Production, which is at the centre of the dispute.

According to The Sun, broadcasting union Bectu has indicated that workers will each lose £5,000 to £10,000 per year due to the loss of their travel reimbursements.

Speaking of the strike, BBC Studios chief Mark Thomas said: "We cannot afford to reimburse travel-to-work claims at a time when other colleagues are losing their jobs."

Contrary to some speculation, there is no suggestion that the walk-out will cause disruption or delays to EastEnders episodes as extra staff have been recruited to fill in.

An EastEnders spokesperson told DS: "Contingency plans have been put in place to ensure that despite the action, recording will continue and EastEnders production will not be affected."