Warning strike in Pljevlja cultural institutions: They demand a 30 percent salary increase

Employees of cultural institutions in Pljevlja today joined a warning strike that was held at the same time in all cities in Montenegro, lasting 30 minutes, from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. With this act, cultural workers appealed to the competent ministry and the Government of Montenegro to enable a 30 percent increase in wages in this sector as soon as possible.

A statement from several trade union organizations of Pljevlja cultural institutions stated that the request for a salary increase was defined by the Decision on going on a warning strike, which was adopted by the representative trade union of culture of Montenegro.

The statement does not state which trade union organizations in Pljevlja supported the warning strike.

The reasons cited for this request include rising inflation, rising prices of basic necessities, and the fact that the salaries of employees in culture are among the lowest in the public sector.

It was particularly emphasized that, in addition to members of the representative union, the strike was also attended by trade union organizations that are not part of that union, as well as employees who are not unionized, which, according to the organizers, shows a high degree of unity and solidarity in the cultural sector.

The organizers emphasized that the strike has no political background, but represents exclusively an existential and professional issue for employees in the cultural sector. They cited Pljevlja as an example, where employees gathered regardless of political, religious or union differences.

The employees say that in the coming period they will remain persistent in their demands and that they will not give up the fight for, as they state, a dignified position for workers in the cultural sector. They point out that the current standard of living is particularly affecting employees in this sector, which, as they claim, lags behind in terms of salaries compared to other areas of the public sector.

Finally, they thanked everyone who supported the strike, as well as the media for their professional reporting. They expressed special gratitude to the local representatives of the Administration and Judiciary Union of Montenegro.