Citynews, journalists on strike for 48 hours: 57 editions halted against layoffs

Two days of strike for 57 local editions and national sectors such as Today.it. In a statement, the Editorial Committee and the union Figec-Cisal proclaim a work stoppage for 48 hours, starting from 9 AM yesterday, March 23, until 9 AM on Wednesday, March 25: «this is the first strike affecting the journalists of the Citynews Group, one of the largest native digital publishers in Italy».

«The mobilization began with the state of agitation launched on March 13. Cdr and Figec have thus expressed their opposition to the company's decision to dismiss 5 employees without notice - it reads - as well as interruptions and reconfigurations (also accepted) that have affected a total of 21 employment relationships, 6 permanent and 15 collaborations, including long-standing ones. From the outset, the withdrawal of the cuts was requested, deemed illegitimate, also because it occurred without prior consultation, as required by the national collective labor agreement, and the opening of a consultation table. Cdr and Figec had a meeting with the company's management on March 18. While understanding the budgetary issues presented and appreciating the openness to broader involvement in future decisions, the workers' requests were not met. Neither regarding the withdrawal of the layoffs, nor for the activation of a consultation table aimed at evaluating alternative solutions to those proposed by the workers. The management's closure of Citynews to the requests, supported by a mandate to the Cdr with a favorable vote from 80% of the employees' assembly, could only lead to the strike».

«Cdr and Figec want to emphasize the importance of this dispute. It is clear that the publishing world is afflicted by historical problems - the statement concludes - Crises, controversies, and uncertainties - of law or market - do not benefit, primarily, those who are paying the price: the workers who lose their jobs. It does not benefit citizens either, who experience a weakening of a fundamental democratic safeguard like information. Cdr and Figec ask Citynews to reconsider the layoffs, giving a tangible signal of the promised openness, by halting them and activating the consultation table aimed at safeguarding jobs».