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‘’CIMOS’’ FIASCO IN KIKINDA FOUNDRY: THE DIRECTOR PROHIBITED A PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATIC UNION ACTION “FOR SAFE WORK AND BETTER LIFE IN THE FACTORY”

THE “RENAULT” PARTS STAINED WITH WORKERS’ BLOOD




Kikinda, February 11, 2007
Director Mirko Latinovic’s attempt to prevent a peaceful, democratic union action of the “Nezavisnost” Union of ‘’CIMOS’’ Kikinda Foundry failed! More than 1800 employees took part in the action “For safe work and better life in the factory”, and about one hundred of them have already handed over a filled-in questionnaire. The action surprised not only the management of “CIMOS” Foundry, but also a large number of employees. – “Bravo, that’s the real thing, continue, why are we silent people”, are only some of the words we have heard from workers. Many workers told us about fear, harassment, low wages, lack of basic protective equipment, so that it is certain that there are no “manipulations” behind this action, as formulated by the director Latinovic.

The action “For safe work and better life in the factory” had to be organized at the entrances in “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry, because director Latinovic prohibited, in the early morning hours, the organizing of a peaceful, union, democratic action in the company area, without disturbing regular employees’ activities.

In the letter – prohibition, the director Latinovic says: - “Such collecting of employees’ signatures, namely, questions posed in such a way, I cannot accept as a “responsible person” in Kikinda Foundry. In their essence, these announcements are of political nature, generalized, and they do not present a real situation in the factory. Naturally, the executive management also takes care of good working conditions. It is in its utmost interest that all workers are healthy and safe and that they can perform their jobs without being injured. It is our everyday concern, even more than prescribed by the regulations. I can’t allow employees’ “manipulating” through demagogic activities that do not lead to reaching a new quality in mutual relations, but to quite different goals I don’t wish to speculate about”.

The unreasonable and urgent prohibition of a peaceful, democratic union action “For safe work and better life in the factory” was preceded by a letter of the President of MWBU “Nezavisnost”, Dragan Matic, dated January 29, 2007, and sent to the director Latinovic, in which he wrote as follows:

-“The interest of “Nezavisnost” Metal Workers’ Branch Union in employees’ safety and state of health in “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry, has not been supported by the executive management, in our opinion. We are witnesses of more frequent employees’ injuries in 2007 and the injuries are more serious, and some, unfortunately, with FATAL OUTCOME !!!

The “Nezavisnost” Union of “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry thinks that safety and industrial hygiene are top-priority from employees’ viewpoint. Therefore, we initiate a peaceful and democratic action entitled “For safe work and better life in the factory”. This action, supported by the MWBU “Nezavisnost” and Regional Commissary Office of UBU “Nezavisnost” Kikinda, will be conducted by the members of “Nezavisnost” Union of “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry and will last 2 days in all three shifts. We hope that this workers’ and union action will not be averted and prohibited by the management, and the “CIMOS” Foundry management will be notified first of employees’ opinions. We shall inform you of initiating the action “For safe work and better life in the factory” in due course, as well as of the mode and techniques we are going to use in this action”, it is said, among other things, in the letter of MWBU “Nezavisnost”.

The response to “taking care” of employees, “even more than prescribed by the regulations”, as stated by Latinovic, was received by the Factory Inspectorate Department for Severna Backa district, from Kikinda, and at the request of MWBU “Nezavisnost” Union an inspection and supervision report for the period January 1 – December 31, 2006 was submitted. It is written in the report: “By the supervision of June 13, 2006 in “Kikinda Auto d.o.o.” it was established that the following wasn’t done in the Factory’s division “Painting”:

-Providing periodical checkups for employees. It was established by supervision of August 9, 2006 in AD Livnica Kikinda, Nodular Cast division, that safety actions at the workplace were not taken;
-Preventive actions were not taken for the protection of employees’ lives and health;
-Tools and equipment were not in proper condition;
-A person in charge of safety and industrial hygiene didn’t prohibit work with tools and equipment at the location where there is a direct danger to life and health of employees”, it is said in this report.

Mr. director, someone is lying, either you or the Head of Factory Inspectorate Department for Severna Backa district, of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Policy. Also, you haven’t considered the new provisions of the Safety and Industrial Hygiene Law, under which you are obligated to have:

-A Collective Agreement on Safety and Industrial Hygiene;
-Job Safety Commission;
-Act on risk assessment at the workplace;
-There are no individuals who passed the professional exam and were granted a license.

DO YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR WORKERS AND THEIR SAFETY IN THIS WAY???

The MWBU “Nezavisnost” didn’t expect you would accept the union action “For safe work and better life in the factory”, because you are not aiming at observance of “orders” provided for by the law, as you say.

WHAT WILL BE NEXT: MAYBE WHIPPING AND BEATING OF UNIONISTS AND WORKERS???

It will be very interesting to know how you’ll explain your indecent conduct to EMF and IMF, Management of “CIMOS” Slovenia, “RENAULT” Group and other companies you cooperate with and deliver the parts, being the signatories of the Frame Agreement with EMF.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO EXPLAIN TO THOSE DRIVING “RENAULT” VEHICLES THAT THE PARTS STAINED WITH WORKERS’ BLOOD ARE BUILT IN THEIR CARS???

Possible consequences for operations of “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry are hard to assess if you don’t come to your senses and lift a ban on the action “For safe work and better life in the factory” and begin to respect workers’ lives and health, and comply with the laws regulating this area.

THE MANAGEMENT OF “CIMOS” KIKINDA FOUNDRY MUST KNOW THAT THE MWBU “NEZAVISNOST” IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH FEAR AND UNION CHICANERY AS ITS WORK RESTRICTION CATEGORY!

The poll results, as an expression of workers’ free will, shall be presented to the entire domestic and foreign public, as well as to the Management of “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry during next week. The real truth, WORKER’S TRUTH, and not DIRECTOR Latinovic’s truth about “CIMOS” Kikinda Foundry will soon come to light.

 
     
 
 
 
 
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