6 April, 2010Negotiations between IMF-affiliated ITUA union and Ford Motor management in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, failed to settle all their differences. However, persistence on the side of the workers allowed them to prevail.
RUSSIA: Negotiations between Interregional Trade Union of Autoworkers (ITUA) and Ford Motor plant management in Vsevolozhsk, Russia, which took part from February 3 to March 22, failed to settle all their differences. The management refused to commit to real health and safety improvements, provide additional employment guarantees and wage increases.
The union responded by holding a warning strike on March 25. The work at the whole plant stopped, and for roughly four hours not a single car was assembled.
Due to the workers' action an additional agreement with the management was signed on March 31. Most of the union's demands were satisfied: wages were increased by 11. 8 per cent, additional job guarantees were provided, management committed to train union representatives and to take other measures in the health and safety field. The agreement also provides for a one-time payment in case of a childbirth or death of a worker or his/her close relative. Permanent workers employed at the plant for more than three years will be given additional vacation time.
The employer undertook not to punish workers who participated in the strike.
'We thank all the workers who contributed to the defense of the plant staff's interests and who actively took part in the struggle which allowed signing an additional agreement on March 31,' said ITUA representative.