Demonstration in Ankara by Sputnik strikers
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The strike at Sputnik has reached its one-month mark where 24 journalists had been laid off while the collective labor agreement negotiations with the Turkey Journalists' Union (TGS) continued. On the 30th day of the strike, TGS held a protest in front of Sputnik's Ankara offices.
Several political parties, professional organizations, and civil society groups, including the Republican People's Party (CHP) MPs Okan Konuralp and Aliye Timisi Ersever, EMEP Labor Party (EMEP) MP Sevda Karaca, and Green Left Party MP Sinan Çiftyürek, expressed their support for the protest.
Mahir Bağış, the TGS Ankara Branch president, listed their demands during the protest, which included:
* Reestablishment of the negotiation table,
* Reinstatement of the 24 dismissed journalists,
* Recognition of trade union rights,
* Guarantee of a fair wage through a collective labor agreement.
Bağış stated that they had been insistent on negotiation from the first day they unionized at Sputnik. He remarked, "From the first day, the employer did not recognize or acknowledge the union or the demands of our members and, in the end, left the negotiation table." He also mentioned that Sputnik violated the constitution.
Bağış pointed out that Sputnik had made illegal hires during the strike and criticized the strikebreakers, saying, "Nine program producers who pride themselves on being senior professionals started their programs despite the strike. We are ashamed and saddened by these strikebreakers who disregard journalism ethics."
He continued, "Our motivation as a labor organization was solely to improve the economic and social rights of our members and ensure editorial independence. This is the reality that Sputnik's employer and managers refuse to understand. What the strikebreakers want to obscure and cover up with black propaganda is this reality."
"On the 30th day of our strike, we are once again shouting our demands from here: Return to the table that you abruptly left in an unlawful and unethical manner, reinstate our 24 members who were dismissed, recognize trade union rights, and guarantee a fair wage through a collective labor agreement."
Bağış emphasized their readiness to wait even longer if necessary but urged the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), and the Presidency of Communication not to wait. He said, "If this is not a banana republic, and if citizens' rights are guaranteed by the Constitution, we ask you to put a stop to this employer's audacity."
The statement made called for solidarity during the strike, stating, "A strike cannot continue without solidarity. We have drawn strength from your support so far." It called on individuals invited to Sputnik's programs to refrain from participating and show support for the strike. "We will know we are not alone as long as you do not provide interviews or statements to Sputnik during the strike," it concluded. (HA/PE)