BBC journalists are to go on strike and launch a corporation-wide work to rule in an escalating row over compulsory redundancies, their union has announced.

The National Union of Journalists said a date for the strike will be announced soon, while a work to rule already taking place in Scotland will be extended.

The union said the row was over around 30 compulsory redundancies as part of the BBC's Delivering Quality First cuts programme, which plans more than 2000 job losses across the corporation.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: "Our members are being forced to escalate action against these compulsory redundancies because of the lack of movement from management to properly use the redeployment system. This lack of engagement is particularly entrenched in BBC Scotland where nine members face losing their jobs.

"Just last week a former NUJ rep, Russell Maddicks, won his case against the BBC for unfair dismissal. The tribunal found fault with key elements of the BBC's procedures. Russell lost his job despite there being suitable redeployment opportunities.

"NUJ members at the BBC are determined to ensure that no-one else loses their job because of such pointless bureaucracy and managerial intransigence.

"If the BBC wants to resolve this, they need to engage with the NUJ and find opportunities for these talented journalists at risk – rather than waste public money on needless compulsory redundancies."

A BBC spokesman said: "We're continuing to work closely with our staff and the unions to seek redeployment wherever possible."