News

Members of the UNI Graphical affiliate Fatida who work at La Capital newspaper in the city of Rosario, Argentina have received telegrams ordering them to resume their duties or face the prospect of being laid off. This was the response of the Group One Media after members of the newspaper walked off the job to demand the reinstatement of 26 workers who were dismissed from LT8 radio and LT3.



These workers were dismissed on alleged economic grounds, however the Union maintains that these workers were dismissed in revenge because of their strong support for the media laws.



Lucio Castillo, the Deputy General Secretary of Fatida said “these media laws are important to Argentina because they ensure that media ownership and the reporting of news and current affairs cannot be dominated by just one or two multi media companies.



“Diversification of news reporting an commentary is important to ensure that democracy thrives” Mr Castillo said.



The radio, TV and newspaper are all owned by the one company Vila-Manzano.



At a press conference called by the 2 central union organizations CGT and CTA and attended by all the unions involved in the dispute reports were given on the dispute and it was announced that a caravan of support would leave Buenos Aires next Monday and travel to Rosario and finish in front of the newspaper office.



Also present at the conference was the Head of UNI Graphical Steve Walsh, who provided a message of solidarity with the striking workers.



The publication of the newspaper was affected and it was the first time in 20 years that an edition was not published. Smaller versions have now been produced due to journalists being ordered back to work following a compulsory conciliation.



Joining the press workers on strike were the graphics workers and the distribution workers