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6 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 57/2000
More than 500 protesters joined yesterday's picket, which was organised by the Association of Trade Unions In Basic Industries.
The association groups the Oil, Gas and Construction Workers' Union (ROGWU), Electrounion, the Chemical Industry Workers' Union, the Mining and Metallurgical Industries Workers' Union, the Construction and Building Materials Industry Workers' Union, the Atomic Energy Workers' Union, the coal workers' union Rosugleprof and the Timber Industry Workers' Union.
Most of the demonstrators were members of unions affiliated at the global level to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM). Last week, the ICEM strongly criticised the tax plan and urged the Russian government to consult with the unions.
That consultation moved forward yesterday when the Moscow protesters delegated representatives for negotiations with the Vice-Chair of the Russian government, Valentina Matvienko.
TAX CHANGES OPPOSED
Russian union leaders lobbied the government over the threat of social cuts. Here, ROGWU's Lev Mironov is telling the Moscow demonstrators that the unions will pursue their demands.
(Photos: ROGWU)
Heading the union side at the talks was ROGWU President Lev Mironov. He chairs the Association of Trade Unions In Basic Industries and is a member of the ICEM Executive.
The delegates told the government of their serious concern about cuts in working people's social protection if the new tax were introduced. It was agreed that the consultations will continue.
After the talks, a brief meeting was held on Moscow's Gorbaty Most (Arched Bridge). Pickets expressed their support for their representatives' demands and said they were ready to continue the protest action in defence of working people's rights.