Rail Union Protests Changes to Collective Bargaining Law
The railway workers' trade union says it is prepared to do its part in a a possible general strike to protest the amendment to the Collective Agreement Act that it finds harms workers' interests.
Last month, Parliament held its first reading of the draft law that will introduce major changes that affect existing collective agreements.
The ruling coalition indicated support for the amendments in January, which essentially add an expiration to collective agreements signed for an indefinite status.
"The government has only one goal by adopting this legislation: to put social guarantees and protection for workers under the gun in companies where there are active unions and functioning collective bargaining arrangements," said union chairman Oleg Tshubarov. "The government wants to intervene in collective relations and by doing so, harm employees' interests."
He said the government is doing "yet one more favor" to employers who, he said, are not interested in constructive talks and do not want to consider employee needs.
Tshubarov said that the union is holding meetings in railway companies to gauge moods and readiness for a strike.
The central confederation of the country's unions is discussing action against the proposed amendments today. Tshubarov said that if it decides to hold a general strike, the railway workers' union will begin preparations throughout the railway sector.
The railway workers' union represents employees at Estonian Railways, the two main domestic passenger rail companies and Go Rail, among others.
Kristopher Rikken