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<< atgalDisagreements turned into a breathtaking thriller

2010-03-19

TRADE UNION CALLS FOR ALARM

Gediminas Stanišauskas

The world's largest security company G4S Lithuania unit management and trade union disputes have developed into breathtaking thriller.

The best workplace company of the year name seeking security services company G4S Lithuania unilaterally terminated the collective agreement. In protest of this possible award a trade union has turned to the Social Security and Labor Ministry. The news about the company overnight spread throughout Europe. The company can receive various sanctions.

Unilaterally terminated the collective agreement
Lithuanian service workers' trade union (LPSDPS) call the alarm that working conditions in UAB "G4S Lithuania" deteriorating for security guards, and that the company unilaterally terminated the collective agreement.

According to trade union, it is an unprecedented case in Lithuania.

The agreement signed on 17 July 2009 by "G4S Lithuania" management and labor representatives had to last at least for a year.
"This is an unprecedented case in Lithuania, where an employer terminates a collective agreement on its own initiative", - says chairman of  LPSDPS Aleksandras Posochovas.

According to A. Posochovas, the scandal of this issue is also the fact that UAB "G4S Lithuania” is committed to achieve very honorable ‘Workplace Company of the Year’ title. The contest winners each year is announced by the Social Security and Labor Ministry. This "G4S Lithuania” application was objected by trade union.

Wages were reduced
Trade union leader A. Posochovas has argued that the campaign of harsh treatment towards workers representatives in UAB Lithuania G4S has taken more than a year ago.

The chairman of Vilnius region trade union has been dismissed; Kaunas and Marijampole regional union chairmen received disciplinary action penalties.

The courts found that the penalties were unreasonable, but such court decisions "G4S Lithuania" administration appealed to the Court of Appeal.
"The State Labor Inspectorate has already sanctioned company “G4S Lithuania” for various violations, - said A. Posochovas. - In addition, trade union members are invited and encouraged to resign from the union, which is already obvious violation of the law, interference in our activities. I would not prove it in the court, but such statements were made by the workers who brought the requests to unjoin the trade union." Without the trade union acceptance the management reduced the previously negotiated salary for about 15 percent.

Those who refused to sign the agreement on pay reductions the warnings were served that they will be dismissed from work. At the same time, new employees were hired for work. G4S security guards earning on average about 1000 Litas a month after tax.

International organizations responded
Trade union called for intercession of the international trade union organization UNI (Union Network International). This organization brings together over 15 million members.

"G4S is the world's largest security company, signed an agreement with UNI, so the developments in Lithuania are well known also internationally", - stated A. Posochovas.

He said that on March 5 UNI Europe Security Unit extraordinary board meeting was held and expressed concern that in Lithuania there is an attempt to deal with the trade union. The letter of UNI Europe has been distributed to all its members. "G4S services the European Commission, international airports, therefore UNI has informed us that because of “G4S Lithuania "actions this security company in Europe can be subject to sanctions in public procurement procedures and the like", - explained A. Posochovas. According to him, the G4S parent company, distanced itself from the Lithuanian unit actions. On 9 April in London is planned UNI Europe and G4S leadership meeting. The first issue will be consideration of the events in Lithuania.

Picket threats are called a blackmail
"G4S Lithuania” CEO Saulius Vincentas Tulevičius is not afraid of the UNI reaction.

"I was threatened by many things: about the arrival of CNN, BBC televisions and that purportedly will examine all of what happened here and how, but no facts are seen, just empty words, ", - assured S.V.Tulevičius. He said that the publicity will not harm the business reputation of enterprise: "If we have any problems, we do not intend to hide it."

Trade unions threatens to strike and organise pickets next to the "G4S Lithuania” client headquarters. S.V. Tulevičius called it blackmail. "This is a clear blackmail. We are not saying that in failure to agree we will fire all trade union members ", - said the company CEO.
He explained that the collective agreement had to be changed because it did not meet today's realities. "We do everything possible to employees would be affected as little as possible by the economic crisis, so some decisions were inevitable", - said "G4S Lithuania" CEO.

Did not pay for overtime
According to representatives of the State Labor Inspectorate, “G4S Lithuania” could unilaterally terminate a collective agreement, at least after 3 months after notifying the other party.

Social Security and Labor vice-minister Audra Mikalauskaitė Deputy said that if the contract is unilaterally terminated earlier than agreed, the dispute is clear.

"This issue, I think, should be resolved in court, if it cannot be agreed otherwise ", - said vice-minister A. Mikalauskaitė.
In 2009 Labor Inspectorate received 25 employees complaints from Vilnius, Kaunas and Utena regarding the outstanding payment for overtime work. Appropriate instructions then given by the Inspection have been fulfilled.

In 2009-2010, Labor Inspectorate inspectors wrote "G4S Lithuania" administration 4 requirements in total, to remove (fix) 12 violations. For failure to comply with the labour laws two penalties were issued to the company.

Trade union leader A. Posochovas acknowledged that, despite of everything, "G4S Lithuania” seeks to comply with the requirements of the employment relationship. The company does not allow employees to work more than 180 hours a month when the guards in other companies are working even 230 hours.

Termination - is last resort
Artūras Černiauskas, the chairman of Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation
Legally after one half of the collective agreement in force, the employer could terminate it on notice one month before. It did. But, unlike Lithuania, Europe looks little into legal nuances, because the unilateral termination of the agreement allows the union to call for a strike. Because termination of the agreement - a last resort, showing the employer's position towards employees. The problem is that in Lithuania to call for a strike it is extremely difficult due to imperfect legislation. In order that the strike would be declared, not less than 50 percent of employees support to be received. As a result, foreigners are surprised that we have no strikes. For example, in Belgium, when trains were derailed employees the very next day called strike, demanding that the employer would create safer working conditions to employees.

Ran out of the civilized approach
Algirdas Sysas, Member of Parliament
I am informed that the "G4S Lithuania" unilaterally terminated the agreement with a trade union. This clearly shows how employers in Lithuania perceive social dialogue and partnership. At least a bit civilized employer in this case would explain the reasons why the contract was terminated. After all, this is not just one-day document. It contains, how employees wages will rise, the vacation issues and other things. Maybe in this case they want to underpay salaries or fire people. It is very disappointing that unilaterally terminating agreement the employers underestimate the consequences. These things can affect both the company’s business reputation, and future customers are unlikely to come to those who terminate the agreement. It is a pity that when dealing with employees, employers are guided by the principle "I am smart, and you are fool."

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