Turkey: CFWIJ Extends Solidarity To BBC Turkish Staff's Decision To Strike
Location: Turkey, Istanbul
Date: December 7, 2021Available in: 🇹🇷 Türkçe
An agreement could not be reached in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Journalists' Union of Turkey (TGS). BBC Turkish Service staff decided to strike after inconclusive negotiations. The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) extends solidarity with the BBC Turkish and supports its strike decision. We urge the BBC to promptly follow the demands of its employees.
The ongoing collective bargaining process between TGS and BBC Istanbul bureau resulted in a disagreement. TGS posted and officially announced the strike decision at the newsroom’s office in Istanbul, if BBC does not negotiate with them.
TGS President Gökhan Durmuş stated that the BBC did not openly approach agreements in the negotiations and made the strike inevitable. He said the union demanded that the wages of the BBC employees be regulated in a way that would protect their purchasing power. “The employer made a raise below the inflation rate in 2020. Now it only offers a 14% gross raise where the official inflation is 21%, we cannot accept this offer," he said.
Gökhan also stated that BBC Turkish cannot benefit from the fundamental rights that the BBC offers to its employees in other countries. He said the union demands are reasonable and affordable. “The GBP has gained 80% against the Turkish lira since January. So, the BBC has a profit of 80 percent. As TGS, we are making our last call to the BBC today,” TGS President said. He added that if a compromise could not be reached, they would certainly go on a strike.
⚡️ The GBP has gained 80% against the Turkish lira since January. But the employer is offering staff a 14% gross raise. Our request to receive basic rights that the BBC offers to employees in other countries has also not been accepted. Enough is enough. Either a deal or a strike! pic.twitter.com/d0F5uGSKx2
— Gazeteciler Sendikası (@TGS_org_tr) December 7, 2021
The CFWIJ extends solidarity with BBC Turkish staff and supports its strike decision. Like other international staff of the BBC, the BBC Turkish office also deserves to fulfill their demands. Collective bargaining agreements are made to protect the fundamental rights of the working class. We urge the BBC, known for its equal, fair, and respected diversity values, to adopt an approach in line with these values and encourage its employees to follow their rights.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism closely monitors the incidents in Turkey with great concern. Since March 8, Women's Day, police violence against women journalists increasingly continues in the country. As the coalition, we urge the Turkish state to provide a free environment for journalists. Following the news is our most fundamental democratic right to report. We demand the immediate release of our detained colleagues. Journalism is not a crime. Journalism cannot be prevented.
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