TV Chornomorska collective went on strike demanding to pay off wages

 On February 7, 2013, the collective of Chornomorska TV-raio company went on strike due to unpaid wages to employees, Sobytiya Kryma reported.

According to journalist Vladimir Andronaki, in the morning the TV-channel staff came to their workplaces, but did not work. They do not produce news and other programs, and the Chornomorska air is now filled with archival material.

Andronaki noted the strike will continue until a full repayment. "We demand a full repayment of debts. Once they paid off, we will start to work, - he said. - We do not oppose anyone - Senchenko, Titarenko, Kvitko. We have to ensure that we will be given our money."

According to the journalist, on February 6, co-owner of the TV channel MP Andriy Senchenko called one of the workers and threatened that if the collective "will go on principle", he also goes on principle and will not pay anything at all. However, Andronaki added, employees have nothing to lose - last month they received only promises, many families are in a critical situation: people have no money to buy food and medicines, to pay for travel to work. "We have nothing to lose, we are not paid. But what an oligarch and an MP is losing let him decide," - said the journalist.

On February 7, when the strike started, none of the owners of the TV channel expressed a desire to meet with the collective. The negotiations with employees were held by Chornomorska President Elena Titarenko and chief editor Oleksandra Kvitko – the daughter of MP Lyudmila Denysova. According to Andronaki, at first, they tried to press the people, then promised that, perhaps, soon a part of the wages for November will be paid. However, the staff did not believe the promises, and expects for full repayment of debts.

As IMI reported earlier, employees of Chornomorska TV-Radio company appealed to the prosecutor and are ready to sue the administration due to non-payment of wages.

According to the workers, only the official debt on "white" salary already makes 4 months, including January. This is without the unofficial "bonuses", which is the main component of wages.