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6 April, 2009
Ukrainian unions in the chemical and related industries discussed crisis conditions and challenges at a meeting on 24 March in Kiev, a meeting organised by ICEM and Nordic-In, the industrial labour federation covering workers in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
The main objective of the meeting was to develop cooperation with Ukrainian unions in chemicals and other such industries in the Ukraine. The emphasis included organising, collective bargaining, multinational companies, and capacity building for trade union officers, with firm intent to conduct a long term and extensive project in the country.
The participants included Kemal Özkan, Chemicals and Rubber Industries Officer of ICEM, Kent Karrlander, Head of Chemicals for the Nordic-In, which represents over 20 trade unions in the metal, energy, chemicals, plastics, paper, and mining sectors, and Swedish IF Metall Union’s International Officer Henrik Nilsson and Local Officer Peter Johansson. The participating labour organisations from Ukraine included the Nuclear Power and Industry Workers’ Union (Atomprofspilka), Chemical and Petrochemical Industry Workers Union, Oil and Gas Workers’ Union, and the Construction and Building Materials Workers’ Union.
Before starting any specific activities, the participants discussed needs, views, and the expectations that a long-term project would undertake. One key aspect expressed by Ukrainian trade unionists was bargaining during crisis conditions, such as at present with the global economic recession. The Ukrainians were interested in learning the experiences of unions in other countries as a major need.
Structural issues, finances, and organising were put forward as burning issues in which a future project should centre on. As well, using international tools for developing organising drives was also mentioned as an agenda item of future activities. The project is scheduled to start in September 2009 and continue for a three-year period.
"With great appreciation to Nordic-In, which strives to initiate great cooperation with the unions represented chemical workers in the Ukraine, I am confident that the issues and problems will be addressed and handled in this project,” said the ICEM’s Özkan. “This, indeed, will have a big impact on ICEM affiliates in the Ukraine and signifies a good example of international trade union solidarity."