The strike of the women workers and cafeteria staff in Zadar, which we are organizing together with the Independent Union of Student Center Employees of Croatia, has lasted for six days. The workers have received support from students, while the academic community remains silent. The Student Standard Agency of the University of Zadar has not responded to our requests. Instead, we have experienced boycotts and attempts at intimidation.
In Split, a solidarity strike by workers of the Split cafeteria was suppressed. Student Roko Tadin was photographed by Jasna Vujević, the manager of the Student Standard Agency, while he was sitting with us for coffee. He wrote in a Facebook status that she reported him to the university administration at that moment and that another student who was invited to the Rectorate experienced the same situation.
In addition, the University of Zadar published a letter allegedly written and signed by “25 employees of the Student Standard Agency who are not on strike.” In the letter, they “categorically reject the strike” because they believe it “does incalculable damage,” while thanking the Agency for providing them with “performance rewards, Christmas bonuses,” and full pay during the lockdown.
Tomislav Kiš, president of the strike committee, commented on the situation: “Anyone who talks with us is photographed and summoned to Rector Prof. Dr. Sc. Dijana Vican. We aren’t talking about ‘growing roses’ here. When I was in college, we called these actions student persecution; today, they call it ‘democratic dialogue.’
Currently, there is a climate of terror, ignorance, and mental violence in the Zadar cafeteria, along with a prohibition on independent thinking. We doubt the authenticity of the signatures of the non-striking workers on the letter to the Agency, especially since it includes signatures of those currently on sick leave. These letters, which I had the opportunity to read, are reminiscent of the ‘Youth Relay’ and letters written to ‘great leaders.’ You can tell from the style who is behind it, and it is all quite disgusting.
We are striking for the fundamentals of unionism the possibility of negotiating wages within a collective agreement. It’s not easy, but we are tough. What hits us hardest is the absence of union solidarity. Our demand is 120 years old: we want to regulate salaries through a collective agreement. The 17 of us are fighting for the foundations of unionism, yet no other unions seem interested.
Today and tomorrow, when collective bargaining is abolished, you will wonder how it happened. It’s simple—we are fighting while you ‘solve the world’s problems.’ Fellow unionists, don’t just watch from the sidelines; it hurts. If we have to, we will handle this ourselves, or the University will handle us. And then, it’s ‘bye-bye’ to you too, fellow unionists.”
