9 February, 2010On January 28 local court ordered Leoni to reinstate unjustly dismissed union leader at Leoni Wiring Systems plant in Lviv area, Ukraine.
UKRAINE: Local union at Leoni Wiring Systems plant in Lviv area won a legal battle on January 28 with the district court ordering the company to reinstate local union leader, Vladimir Shikitka.
Despite company pressure, a union affiliated to Automobile and Agricultural Machinery Workers' Union of Ukraine (AAMWU) was organized at the plant in January 2009. Vladimir Shikitka was elected as the president of the new union.
As local management immediately took an anti-union position, AAMWU representatives met with Leoni in Germany. The meeting was organized by the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and IG Metall. The company assured union members that it was committed to following the law and didn't intend to violate the International Framework Agreement, but back in Ukraine things didn't change.
Leoni signed a declaration on social rights and industrial relations with the IMF in 2002. This International Framework Agreement stipulates that the company will respect fundamental trade union and worker rights.
Despite assurances from company managers in Germany, the plant management opposed each and every union activity, even installing an information stand. Union leader Vladimir Shikitka, a worker with a perfect record, was accused of "systematic neglect of duty" and fired on July 7, 2009. Not only did this decision violate basic labour standards, but it was clearly illegal in Ukraine, since the national labour code required the company to consult with the union before dismissing one of its leaders.
AAMWU immediately filed a complaint.
It took four court hearings to finally recognize the company actions as illegal. On January 28 the district court ordered Leoni to immediately reinstate Shikitka, pay him an average wage in arrears and compensate all legal expenses.
AAMWU and IMF will continue to watch closely the situation at Leoni Wiring Systems plant.