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<< atgalWith the liberalization slogan we will legalize the twenty-first century slavery

2010-03-08

 On March 3 security company G4S trade union have been served a letter, signed on 26 February by an official G4S Director General Vincentas Saulius Tulevičius. It informs, that from this year April 1 the collective agreement signed on 17 December 2009 will be terminated. This possibility, however, except for the first six months of validity of the collective agreement, is foreseen in the agreement itself by warnings to another side before 30 days. The contract would be in force until 17 July 2011.

This is an unprecedented situation in Lithuania, where an employer terminates a collective agreement on its own initiative. However, monitoring in recent years the administration's policy, apparently, it was to be expected.

For over a year ago the administration launched drastic campaign against the trade union in the company. Without seeing other ways to coerce the company to comply with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, union has appealed to the Labor Inspectorate regarding the administration illegal activities. The employer was fined and ordered to correct the violations. Soon, the trade union felt reply punch by the employer's.

For a minor offense UAB "G4S" trade union chairman of Vilnius region has been fired. At about the same time, violating the law and without the consent of trade union Marijampole Region union chairman has been fined; the appeal to court also was made regarding clearly illegal penalty to Kaunas Region union chairman. In all three cases, the court found the employer's action is illegal, but court orders were subject to appeal, so the process is currently ongoing.

However, the employer representatives did not limited their actions towards trade union leaders. Double standard to trade union members and non-members were introduced. Employees were encouraging to withdraw members from the trade unions, and those who disobeyed, the simplest offenses were subject to disciplinary action. At the same time the explanation was made that, if they unjoin the union, they will be left alone. Unfortunately, fearing their future some employees succumbed to the pressure.

Trade Union appealed to the Prosecutor's Office for criminal prosecution for obstruction of legitimate trade union activities, but in the absence of sufficient evidence the case was closed.

Approx. half year before employers have started to break the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, and even the collective agreement: it practically ceased to coordinate work schedules with employees' representatives. Working conditions became a secondary matter. It was not negotiated or consulted with the trade union, the company started changing of employees working instructions, and without consultation and coordination it reduced approx. 15 percent of the previously negotiated salary. These workers, who defied threats of refusal to sign the agreement on salary reductions, were given warnings that will be dismissed from the work on redundancy, although at the same time are recruiting new staff. The warning has been served even to trade unions elective committee member that contradicts to the laws.

Union committee members and more active trade unionists were subject to penalties for the smallest violations. Blackening trade union representatives the administration continues openly persevere members to leave the trade unions, interfering in the affairs of trade union, unilaterally and illegally terminated some of the articles of collective agreement. Administration in after less than a week without explanation announced that from April they cancel collective agreement completely applicable to all employees, and approved by employees congress.

Lithuanian service workers' union (LPSDPS) informed International Trade Union Organization UNI, bringing together more than 20 million employees worldwide, and “G4S” European Works Councils about the UAB “G4S Lithuania” actions. They already started solidarity actions.

Trade union is ready to initiate a lawful industrial action, which if negotiations will not be made, can lead to a strike. There pickets will also be held, not only at the headquarters and regional offices of the G4S Lithuania but also at the headquarters of its biggest contractors (banks, supermarkets, etc.).

This story again shows that to achieve their objectives, employers defy any principles of humanity, forcing employees into twenty-first century slavery being  a full member-  country of European Union. This heppens in a country where business is screaming, that it is too constrained, and the government to liberalize employment.

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