2024-04-24News in English
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<< atgalFearless “G4S Lithuania” leaders are not stepping back
2010-06-21
Lithuanian service workers trade union (LPSDPS) chairman Aleksandras Posochovas speech on April 12-13 in Nyon (Switzerland) at global trade union “UNI Global” security sector 2010 General Assembly.Security employees trade union (ADPS) in Lithuania was established 5 years ago on the basis of “G4S”. It is an affiliate of LPSDPS, which was established almost 6 years ago. LPSDPS belongs to the biggest national trade union center in Lithuania – LPSK. LPSDPS is third biggest branch among 26 branches of LPSK, and unites about 5000 members.
ADPS unites about 800 members; the most of them are G4S employees. Couple of weeks ago “Ekskomisarø biuras” trade union (about 40 members) was founded. Also, there are small groups of members in companies like “Apsaugos komanda”, “Trikampis þiedas”, „Jungtis“, „Grifs“, „Argus“, „Euro Cash“. These are the biggest security companies with the activities in Lithuania (in total about 200 members from the more than 10000 employees).
If couple of years before ADPS activities were quite effective (with “G4S Lithuania” leadership was signed a collective agreement, the were consulting continuing with Lithuanian private security employers association on sectoral collective agreement, now situation is critical. Due to the state implemented taxation policy bigger part of this business went into the “shadow”, therefore for transparent companies is more difficult to compete in the market. Additionally, financial burden is brought up to the employees’ shoulders: the small salaries are even smaller, simpler requirements for safety and health at work, and work time is prolonged.
Clear example of current situation in Lithuania is “G4S Lithuania”. In this company trade union is established but employers decided to liquidate it. A year ago for some trade union leaders work order violations were imposed. Employers know how slow Lithuanian courts procedures are, and use it hoping that people without income will not carry such burden. Even in first instance courts trade union won the cases, but the employer appealed and the trial continues – it’s already in second year. At the same time open threatening occurs toward the members, that they will kicked-out of work if not un-join the union. Dual standards were applied: for misdemeanor the members were punished and the non-member – not punished. Therefore about 50 members un-joined the union. The harshest threatening came from Vilnius region director S. Polumeckas and Technical safety director V. Þekas.
In relation to breach of work safety, and wages laws trade union appealed few times to State Labour Inspectorate, therefore company’s leaders were punished. The employers unilaterally deleted couple of collective agreement points and at the beginning of March announced that break-off the agreement. When UNI interfered, the termination of collective agreement was postponed till June. The administration, breaking the laws, without consulting with trade unions force the employees to sign that they agree with decreased. For those, who disagreed they gave the letters of dismissal.
UNI had slowed the employers, but they continue to act drastically. Additionally they had announced that company’s headquarters in London gave mandate to deal with trade union. “G4S Lithuania” leader announcement that he is “not afraid of any CNN, BBS, UNI ...” in the Lithuanian press, and that other Lithuanian biggest security companies representatives welcomed “G4S Lithuania” leadership actions towards the workers and the trade unions, show employers view of understanding of democracy. Apply of dual standards to members and non-members continues: non-union stealing inkasatorius was not turned for criminal actions to procurator, drunk security employee was left to work. But for trade union member, who was late by 10 minutes to work, was given the administrative punishment. While union refused to give permission, it was turned to court.
For dispatcher employees un-human work conditions are made, even drinking water was taken away, salaries reduced by 15 percent. At the same time mentioned leaders even their family members’ cars fix at the company’s costs.
On April 16 new bargaining on collective agreement will start. To negotiate from their side “G4S Lithuania” leaders appointed harshest ant-unionists and members persecutors. The same persons - S.Polumeckas and V.Þekas – which knowing that in Lithuania is big unemployment, force employees to un-join the trade union thus breaking the Lithuanian and international peoples rights freely unite into trade unions.
Trade union members’ persecutions, which started in Vilnius, had spread out in Lithuania. I know that similar examples occurred also in Latvia, Estonia, Poland and other new EU member states. If we, as trade unions will not unite and in common actions will not stop employers self-will, this practice will move also into old EU members states and international agreements between UNI and employers organizations will not help.
From the editor: As “G4S Lithuania” employees trade union chairman Ridas Pagrandis mentioned on April 25 to LP [newspaper], the bargaining did not started. The company’s administration agreeing on the date for bargaining meeting does not provide the conditions for the chairman of trade unions to come to it. “The employer announce the time when I work but not letting me to leave from work,”- told R.Pagrandis.
RMP
