The radio department of the Standard Media Group followed through on their threat to go on strike due to unpaid salaries dating back to June 2023.
The radio crew from the media giant’s four radio stations namely Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Berur FM and Vybez Radio vowed to shut down programmes on Wednesday, July 3 if the management failed to heed their demands to clear outstanding salaries.
On Friday, June 28 they had asked for a 100 per cent payment of salaries for June 2024 by July 2 and a 30 per cent payment of the arrears every month beginning June 2023 until the amount is fully cleared.
On Thursday, July 4 the employees at 7 a.m staged a walkout from their respective workstations. They converged at the Staff Cafeteria, leaving music playing on the airwaves with no presenters in the studios.
The management has not addressed their concerns as of yet.
The radio employees expressed frustration over receiving irregular payments, despite repeated assurances from their employer.
The team was aggrieved about not receiving their salaries for June to August 2023 and February to June 2024 which led them to resort to issuing the threat to push the company to consider their plight.
“Kindly note that in the event of non-payment as proposed above, all programming will be off air on July 3, on all 4 radio stations until our plight is addressed and a commitment from your end is issued in writing,” the employees had earlier warned.
They were aware that the company was facing financial difficulties but insisted that they be reimbursed regardless, and for the company to formulate a plan to set aside funds for salaries.
“With what is collected each month vis a vis what the salary burden is – let the amount be earmarked and kept aside to service salaries unfailingly,” the team indicated in their demand later.
COTU-K boss Francis Atwoli had tried to intervene before the shutdown, engaging Gideon Moi – the company’s largest shareholder – about paying the outstanding salaries.
However, he retreated after he noted a conflict of interest as his wife works for the company, prompting him to take a step back and let the company handle the matter itself.
