ponedeljek, november 15, 2004

Journalists strike

On 3 October, as elections were underway, many of the country’s journalists declared their first-ever strike, demanding better working conditions. This meant that only the most essential information about the election results was published in much of the local media, and saw the leading daily, Delo, miss its first day of publication since the paper was founded nearly 60 years ago.

The crux of the problem is a contract dispute between many of the country’s journalists and their employers. The journalists are being led by the Union of Slovene Journalists, while the employers in question are the Publishing, Printing and Media Association of the Slovene Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with the Association of Local and Regoinal Radio Stations of Slovenia [SW / 06.10.04 / Election Day Strike Brings Negotiations for Journalists].

Not all of the major media, however, participated in the strike. Commercial television station Pop TV and the daily Finance both opted out, as did journalists at various local radio stations. The information blackout, therefore, was not nearly as all-encompasing as strike leaders might have hoped. Journalists at these outlets generally are satisfied with their internal contracts and saw no point to striking. However, journalists at Delo, Radio Television Slovenia and several other outlets are also satisfied with their contracts but joined the strike in solidarity nevertheless. One observer pointed out that Pop TV and Finance journalists are the best-paid in Slovenia [MediaOnline.ba / 19.10.04 / Strike in Slovenia: What the Journalists Wanted].

The strike lasted for three days, until the Strike Committee of the Union of Slovene Journalists put it on hold pending the results of new negotiations [ST / 11.04 / Slovenia’s Journalists on Strike]. The talks are still on-going.

posted by editor @ 5:26 pop.