RTP - Rádio e Televisão de Portugal
Dr. Almerindo Marques
President of Administration Council

Av. Marechal Gomes da Costa, 37
1849-030 LISBOA
00.351.21.794.70.74


Dear Mr. Almerindo Marques,

The European Federation of Journalists, which represents over 260.000 across Europe, including in Portugal, is concerned by the behaviour of the Administration of RTP and RDP (Radio and Television Public Service), which has provoked a strike by journalists starting today.

We are told the public broadcaster is trying to impose a collective agreement that does not respect elementary rights of the workers, including journalists, and that the management is trying now to intimidate workers by spreading false information.

As you know, the Sindicato dos Jornalistas (SJ) decided to hold a three days strike, starting today. In the circumstances we support our colleagues and ask you to respond to their protests.

The EFJ, which in the regional group of the International Federation of Journalists, backs the SJ because we believe that quality, independent journalism, especially in the public sector, requires respect for the dignity of media workers and the recognition of their right to decent working conditions.

During a regional meeting that took place last week in Almeria, delegates from journalists’ unions from across the Mediterranean adopted a Resolution to “express solidarity with the Portuguese journalists of RDP and the RTP, on strike on 18-20 April.”

We ask you to call for the reopening of negotiations with the SJ as well as with the other unions involved in the industrial action, and for greater respect of the fundamental rights of social dialogue in the interest of both the workers and the public.


Yours sincerely,

AIDAN WHITE
General Secretary