The union's branch in the daily began a strike today, asking for an acceptable base pay and protection from layoffs, a union statement said, adding the strike would last until the demands were met.

In the statement, Galic called on all journalists and media workers in Croatia to show solidarity and support their colleagues in Glas Istre, "whose brave act contributes to the dignity and fight for the increasingly endangered rights of all journalists and media workers in the country."

The union has notified the international and European federations of journalists about the strike.

Talking about the strike to the press, a member of the Glas Istre management board, Albert Faggian, said "nobody needed this" and "this isn't a service to anyone."

He said the difficult decision to go on strike was bold and that he respected it, adding he was ready to compromise, except regarding salaries, because the company could not pay what it did not have, but only what it had in its account.

Faggian said the strike could lead to a decline in earnings, adding the paper would continue to be published, "created by people who have a compulsory work order and who haven't opted for the strike."

He said the management was looking for a solution.

Asked if workers would be paid for the days spent on strike, Faggian said they would not.

Asked how long the paper could survive in such conditions, he said, "As long as the City of Pula and the entire region need Glas Istre."