The Standard Media Group radio department has threatened to go off air starting July 3, should the company not clear outstanding salaries.
This was arrived at during a meeting held by staff from Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Berur FM and Vybez Radio on Friday, June 28.
In a letter addressed to the Standard Media Group PLC management, the radio team complained that they had not been paid salary for the period between June to August 2023 and February to June 2024.
“The matter of unpaid regular salary and mounting arrears as you’re aware is one of urgency. As a department - we need to have this matter addressed,” the radio team demanded.
The journalists complained that they had been receiving inconsistent payments despite multiple promises to the contrary by the employer.
In their demand letter, the radio team asked for a 100 per cent payment of salaries for the month of June 2024 by July 2, and a consistency of the same moving forward.
“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 adding that they were aware the company was facing economic hardships.
For the salary arrears, the team demanded Standard Media Group pay 30 per cent of the arrears every month until the amount is fully cleared.
The radio department noted that a meeting with the management had been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, July 4.
“Kindly note that in the event of non-payment as proposed above, all programming will be off air on July 3 on all four radio stations until our plight is addressed and a commitment from your end is issued in writing,” the radio presenters threatened.
Earlier, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) boss Francis Atwoli had remarked that he had spoken with the company management to clear the salary arrears.
“What we are praying is that it (the company) should not go under because it might not come out after it has gone under and it will be a big problem,” the trade unionist spoke on Wednesday, June 19.
