Novi sindikat, which has taken over the representation of former employees of the Šibenik textile factory Revija, is expecting an invitation this week from the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets. The meeting is intended to address the remaining claims of 326 former workers. If the invitation does not arrive, a protest will be organized in September at St. Mark’s Square in Zagreb. The workers are demanding the payment of €1.29 million in debt directly from the Government of the Republic of Croatia, as stated at a press conference in Šibenik.
“In our initial contacts with government representatives, there were some reactions, but we are seeing a familiar pattern. The response is positive, but the invitation to the meeting never arrives. We have decided to start applying pressure, beginning in September. Our goal is for the workers of Revija to receive what they are owed and to hold the meeting that Minister Bačić promised months ago. If they invite us within the next few days, the protest will be canceled,” said Mario Iveković, President of Novi sindikat.
Vedran Uranija, the longtime legal representative for the workers and now a legal counsel for Novi sindikat, added: “For the past three months, I have been in intensive communication with the Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister Bačić. I have been told repeatedly that the Minister is willing to receive us, yet no meeting has been scheduled. This is the longest bankruptcy in Europe, lasting over 20 years. The only winner has been the bankruptcy trustee, whose management was catastrophic and who rejected seven purchase offers without explanation. The State is responsible for compensating these workers.”
Judicial Delays and the “Leć” Case
The press conference also addressed the “illegal conduct” of the County Court in Rijeka regarding a labor dispute involving employees of the municipal company “Leć” Vodice. The dispute concerns unpaid overtime, night shifts, and work on Sundays and holidays for five employees.
“This is a dark spot on the Croatian judiciary. The dispute began seven years ago. Three years ago, the Municipal Court in Šibenik ruled in favor of the workers, but the case has since been stalled at the County Court in Rijeka. It took the court three years to decide to annul the verdict and return the case to Šibenik, even though the legal deadline for such appeals is one month. We believe this delay is illegal and politically motivated,” Uranija stated.
New Negotiations at Iskra Shipyard
Finally, Novi sindikat announced it is preparing a collective agreement proposal for workers at the Iskra Shipyard in Šibenik.
“Workers at Iskra reached out to us because they are highly dissatisfied. While management boasts of excellent business results, workers performing grueling physical labor receive wages barely above the national minimum. We are currently building our membership and expect to become the majority union at the shipyard this month. Negotiations for a collective agreement should begin in October or November,” said Iveković. He also noted that workers are deeply concerned by management’s plans to introduce workplace surveillance, including cameras and tracking chips in helmets.
The article was originally published the Šibenik portal 22. 8. 2023.
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