The union of employees at Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG) held a protest in front of the institution’s building over a proposed collective agreement they consider unacceptable. The union president, Jadranka Drobnjak, stated that the proposal does not provide salary increases for employees with secondary education, most employees with higher education receive minimal increases, while managers have significantly higher salaries. The union claims that management is pressuring employees to sign the agreement, introducing provisions that allow individual dismissals without the right to defense, and using intimidation and blackmail. RTCG General Director Boris Raonić denies the accusations, stating that the proposal is the result of months of negotiations and that the media union obstructs salary increases. He emphasizes that working conditions have improved and that there is an absurd situation where the employer wants to increase salaries but the union prevents it. The protest is part of a broader conflict between the union and management over employee rights and working conditions at the public broadcaster.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the workers’ rights, highlighting the unfair salary distribution where managers receive large raises while most employees get little or none. They focus on the pressure and intimidation tactics used by management against union members and frame the protest as a fight for fair labor conditions and transparency.
Center: Center-leaning sources present a balanced view, reporting both the union’s grievances about the collective agreement and management’s claims of ongoing negotiations and improvements in working conditions. They highlight the complexity of the situation, including the accusations from both sides and the broader implications for public service media.
Right: Right-leaning media tend to focus on management’s perspective, emphasizing the efforts to improve salaries and working conditions, and portraying the union as obstructive to progress. They may highlight the need for efficiency and criticize the union for resisting changes that could benefit the institution and its employees overall.
