News / 18.01.2016

RTTL blasts Bauer Media’s planned job cuts

Shortly after buying the radio operations of the Finnish media company MTV, the German corporation Bauer Media announced that it would start redundancy talks concerning the entire workforce of 140 people. Bauer Media aims to cut 25 jobs. According to RTTL, the move is a continuation of the constant process of acquisitions and outsourcing that have plagued MTV staff for many years and shrunk the workforce.

RTTL has pointed out that commercial radio in Finland is doing well but that there have been many job losses in the sector and workplace practices have become disparate. Rapidly changing foreign ownership reflects a lack of interest in developing staff working conditions or improving work agreements and pay.

Employees are vulnerable and unprotected. Finnish commercial radio is not covered by collective agreements. The sector comprises full-time employees but also plenty of freelancers and self-employed workers.

RTTL said that the corporate owners of commercial radio should start to appreciate the importance of collective agreements in terms of developing the sector and strengthening staff commitment. It stressed that commercial radio workers must soon start to be covered by collective agreements.


See also

All news

UJF steps up membership recruitment and adopts cultural policy strategy

A membership recruitment working group appointed by the Council has prepared the plan, which provides the union, its associations and branches with resources to expand union recruitment and retaining existing members.

UJF Council decisions cover international work, new discussion platform and freelance directory

The UJF will continue to engage actively in international work. Such activity supports the union’s core mission of defending freedom of expression, the ethical principles of journalism and the working conditions and safety of journalists and other professionals within our member sectors.

UJF President Marjaana Varmavuori: UJF’s role highlighted in times of uncertainty

The role of the Union of Journalists in Finland as a defender of journalism, freedom of expression, democracy and decent working conditions is greater than ever, UJF President Marjaana Varmavuori said on Thursday.