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<< atgalTransport workers forum revolted against the privatization
2010-01-11
On January 8 Lithuanian Transport Workers' Trade Union Forum Congress took place. Jonas Petraška was re-elected to lead the Forum for another term of three years.According to Lithuanian service workers' trade union chairman Aleksandras Posochovas, who participated in the event, the meeting was effective. The Forum joined the Drivers' trade union, led by Ramunas Narbutas. He was elected to the board of seven people in the Forum, and will represent the long-distance drivers.
Meeting was attended by approx. 40 representatives of transport related trade unions, including all transport organisations belonging to the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK), Trade union 'Solidarumas Chairwoman Aldona Jašinskienė and Vice-Romualdas Žukovskis and the members of Parliament Rytas Kupčinskas and Kazimieras Uoka.
J. Petraška is his report emphasized that the Forums goal to unite more trade unions, irrespective of which center they belong and to sign a collective agreement with Employers' association Linava. Currently, the forum members are 20 organizations, although only 11 paid membership fees.
The participants voted in favour of the resolution against public transport service companies possible privatization. In the resolution was noted that it is not just municipal competence, but should be discussed in the Tripartite council. As one of the bad examples was recalled privately owned and bankrupted Lithuanian Airlines.
Public transport companies have the most financial problems in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda cities. Because there are most of discounted services using groups: schoolchildren, students, and pensioners. The municipality is unable to cover the companies losses. According to A. Posochovas, "Vilnius Trolleybuses" or "Vilnius Buses" would have no loss if the municipality would pay debts in time. The suggestion was raised to provide compensation both from municipal and the state budget. These questions also should be discussed with assistance of the national trade union centers in Tripartite councils.
If negotiations will fail, according to Mr. Posochovas, at least in Vilnius there are talks about drastic actions. Especially since Vilnius Trolleybuses and Vilnius Buses trade unions already signed a cooperation agreement.
As Forums vice-presidents were elected "Kaunas Bus workers' trade unions chairman Bronius Bučelis and Seamen's Union leader Petras Bekėža.
