IFJ Backs Strike By Greek Journalists As Media Bosses Block Claims on Working Conditions

The International Federation of Journalists and its regional group the European Federation of Journalists are giving full support to a series of strikes starting today until Tuesday next week by journalists working in Greek broadcasting.

The strikes – a series of 24-hour stoppages – will affect private television stations today, private radio stations tomorrow and will continue on Monday and Tuesday with walkouts at public radio and television stations.

“The employers both private and public have shown no willingness to negotiate a fair and satisfactory settlement of a dispute over working conditions claims made by the journalists’ union,” said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

“Journalists are rightly frustrated over the employers’ attitude. The strikes are a clear sign that they are determined to break the deadlock in defence of legitimate demands. Journalists throughout Europe will give them full support.”

The strikes have been called by the Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspaper, the country’s largest journalists’ group who claim that employers have steadfastly refused to negotiate seriously in the talks over a new collective agreement covering journalists pay and working conditions. The Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEMTH) is actively participating in the 24-hour preemptive strikes, which are backed by the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (PFJU).

“We hope that the employers will recognise that a flexible and honest dialogue is the key to finding solutions in this dispute,” said White. “If not, the strikes may intensify.”

Further information: + 32 2 235 22 00
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries

Journalists Union of Athens Daily Newspaper
E-mail: [email protected]

Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (PFJU)
E-mail: [email protected]

Journalists’ Union of Macedonia and Thrace Daily Newspapers (ESIEMTH)
E-mail: [email protected]