Untitled Document

NEWS

AN OPEN LETTER SENT TO FSV “ZELVOZ” EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC OF SMEDEREVO
HOW TO RUIN FSV “ZELVOZ”

Smederevo, November 23 2007
“The interest showed by MWBU “Nezavisnost” in the process of privatization of FSV “Zelvoz” d.o.o. is based on the fact that we have our union members in this company and that there is a minor number of companies of metal industry complex that can be privatized successfully, in which there are 1700 employees. I hope that the activities of representative unions in Zelvoz are known to you, which have nearly 90% members and that those unions prepared a Social Program which was accepted in tender documentation. We cannot understand your interest in the opinion and position of an extremely marginal union in Zelvoz, unless I suspect that this interest of yours is based on personal and not on professional interest. Be sure that trade unions have reached an agreement which absolutely suits a majority of employees and that it won’t be easy for future buyer to employ 1700 workers, that they get pays on regular basis and that all commitments are paid out to the State.” This is a part of the text which the president of MWBU “Nezavisnost”, D. Matic forwarded to the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, namely, Mr. Nebojsa Ciric, Undersecretary.

It should be stressed to employees of Zelvoz and the public that “Grampet” is not one of many companies interested in FSV Zelvoz, but it is, unfortunately, the only one. In such a situation when it is less probable that someone will register subsequently for other procedures, the MWBU “Nezavisnost” showed full responsibility for the sale of Zelvoz and that workers got the opportunity to keep their jobs, to work and earn.

In order to be clear to workers of Zelvoz and the public of Smederevo what’s happening in Zelvoz, we will clarify what the “Nezavisnost” Union has achieved so far with colleagues of the Autonomous Trade Union and ASNS, and demanded from “Grampet”:

1.“Grampet” shall pay the anticipated price for FSV Zelvoz in the amount of Euro 1.150.000,
2.Obligatory investments will be Euro 6,5 million.
3.Unlinked and unrecorded years of service will be regulated for 2005, 2006 and 2007. There is an estimate that this will cost “Grampet” almost 6 million Euro.
4.Debts to creditors – EPS, Srbija Gas, Lasta .. will be paid out, and they amount to approx. 3 million Euro,
5.It has been envisaged by Social Program that there won’t be any dismissals of employees in a 3-year period as of the date of signing the Purchase & Sales Contract,
6.For employees who would wish to leave Zelvoz, the representative trade unions that signed the Social Program shall agree on the amount of compensation with the Company’s Management. In case the agreement is not reached employees shall have full-time employment status,
7.The buyer is obligated to observe the applicable C.A. All the amendments are possible solely with the consent of representative trade unions – signatories,
8.The earnings level in the period from 01/01/2007 till 30/06/2007 will be the base for future pays,
9.If employees – shareholders wish to sell their shares, the buyer is obliged to buy up shares at least at the price fetched at buying a major package,
10.In the case of successful operations and through collective bargaining it is possible to pay in supplementary pension insurance which cost will be borne by employers.

All this has been achieved with much effort wishing to safeguard employees’ interests with ultimate target to enable privatization. The “Nezavisnost” Union has no other way than make efforts to provide Zelvoz employees a maximum on all bases that they can realize at this time. Let’s do something so that 1700 Zelvoz workers can earn and provide a good life for their families without false promises. “Nezavisnost” won’t allow irresponsible individuals to play with the fate of Zelvoz workers. The “Nezavisnost” Union did its best for the well-being of 1700 workers and their families. Contacts with competent Departments and Privatization Agency should be left over to colleagues who trust them and accept their false stories.

As far as other workers are concerned, their job is completed by signing the Social Program and the agreement on linking years of service, stressed D. Matic at the end of his open letter.

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