Sputnik lays off 23 unionized employees after decision for strike action

Click to read the article in Turkish

Sputnik's Turkey Office, where a strike decision has been taken on July 24thAs a result of the failure to reach an agreement during the collective bargaining negotiations with the Turkish Journalists' Union (TGS), has begun layoffs citing downsizing.

Journalist Atilla Güner, who hosts the "Evening News" (Akşam Haberleri) program on Radio Sputnik, announced that he has been dismissed.

Güner stated that the institution cited "downsizing" as the reason, but he was laid off due to his support for the strike action. 

Güner also mentioned that many unionized employees were being laid off. In his statement, Güner said, "I had prepared for tonight's broadcast. I was going to meet with my audience at 5:00 PM after my holiday. However, today, the Sputnik Radio manager called me and said 'we are downsizing, we have laid you off.' Journalists need to explain the cause and effect relationship. A while ago, the majority at the workplace became TGS members, started a struggle for their rights, there was no compromise, and a strike decision was taken. I also supported the young journalists. Throughout my journalism career, I have always tried to do this. Right now, many union members are also being laid off. Good by for now, until we meet again on a new platform."

TGS: 23 of our members have been fired

TGS, the union of the Sputnik employees, said in an initial statement, "We warn you! Instead of respecting union rights and meeting the demands of our members, Sputnik employer is firing them. Stop committing crimes, reinstate the fired journalists."

Later on TGS President Gökhan Durmuş appeared before the cameras along with the fired journalists. Durmuş informed the press here that 23 unionized journalists had been laid off.

Durmuş said, "Sputnik employer, who was unable to reach an agreement at the negotiation table during the collective bargaining negotiations, and who left the table without making an offer, has now started laying off employees in order to abolish the constitutional right of employees to unionize. We had put up a strike decision on July 24th. Next week, we will start the actual strike action. The fight will continue until our colleagues who have been fired are reinstated and the collective bargaining agreement is signed."

Durmuş also added that they would protest Sputnik in front of Süzer Plaza in Taksim, İstanbul, together with the laid-off journalists tomorrow (August 8) at 11:00 am. (HA/PE)