Type
Bankruptcy
Country
Greece
Region
Attiki;
Location of affected unit(s)
Attiki
Sector
Information / Communication
Publishing Of Information; Production And Programming Of Audiovisual
Programming And Broadcasting Activities
60 - Programming and broadcasting activities
European Globalisation Fund (EGF)
Year: 2014, Case number: 18

620 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
1 August 2011
Employment effect (start)
1 August 2011
Foreseen end date
30 April 2012

Description

Alter television, one of the most well-known tv channels in Greece, filed for Bankruptcy resulting in the dismissal of its 620 employees. According to the media sources, Alter TV stopped paying its 620 employees in February 2011, and the company filed for protection under Article 99 of the bankruptcy code in August. It had debts to lenders amounting to about €550 million, and other loans and obligations making total liabilities amount to a full €1 billion.

Alter's employees have gone on strike 3 times in the last year, while, since November, 10th, 2011 have stopped the channel's programme and have replaced it with a card instead, which informs the viewers of their bosses choices. They are also guarding their workplace day and night, making sure it's closed and demanding their wages. The text in the channel's programme also informs viewers about struggles in other workplaces.

The owner of Ater tv issued a statement according to which the proposals offered to the employees (voluntary exit to 250 employees undertaking of about 5 million euros -accruals and allowances), were rejected by their representatives and added that more than 10 millions of euros have been allocated, from own sources, in the last 12 months in order to cover operational costs. Interim administration was set at Alter on 17/1/2012 by injunction of the Instance Court of Athens.


Sources

  • 17 January 2012: Capital
  • 22 December 2011: To Vima

Citation

Eurofound (2011), Alter Channel, Bankruptcy in Greece, factsheet number 72975, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/72975.