Striking...

..and as we approach the midnight hour, it's pretty clear that the NUJ strike will seriously disrupt BBC News output over the next 48 hours. In Shetland, three of the six staff are NUJ, so that'll be a tough picket line.  Paul Mason, BBC Newsnight's economics editor has twittered that he's walking out in protest at "pensions theft".  Management often take the view that "editors" should work.  I think Paul's title is honorary; he does not "edit" the work of others. There are rumours that Robert Peston, Business Editor, might take the management line.

BBC DG Mark Thompson has been up at Pride Park in Derby, for the annual internal awards for BBC local radio stations, named the Gillards, after Frank.  He cheered up an edgy crowd by asking that, whatever happened in the disruption, Mark Byford should be kept away from the microphone.

For many BBC News staff, Thommo's salary, and the slow response to reducing executive pay, remains a serious irritant. It's hard being lectured on economic realities by people on £800k. However, it's not what the strike ballot was about; and it's certainly doubtful that the NUJ have an end game.   So, as we've said before, let's hope someone helps both sides kick this issue into the long grass for a while, so a face-saving compromise can emerge.