PRILEP COURT REJECTED THE COMPLAINT FOR ILLEGITIMACY OF THE STRIKE IN MERMEREN KOMBINAT

5/17/2013
Workers at the plant during one of the strikesBasic Court in Prilep ruled in favor of the Trade Union of Construction, Industry and Planning (SGIP) and the Trade Union of the "Mermeren kombinat" - Prilep. The verdict is rejecting the demants of the leadership of JSC " Mermeren kombinat" for declaring of two strikes as illegitimate, and for compensation of 1.5 million MKD, was announced by the Union SGIP.

This decision is of historical significance because for the first time in Macedonia trade union was sued for organizing a strike. It also encourages workers to exercise their rights through strikes, when primary resources - negotiation and bargaining, doesn’t have results.

The demands of both strikes in “Mermeren kombinat” organized last year were wage increases, since salaries have not changed ten years, although the costs of living increased by 30% and the company operates with profit. The management team of the company responded with claims of illegitimacy of strikes and for suffered damage due to disruptions during strikes.

SGIP informs that activities continue about signing of a collective agreement on the level of employer. SGIP hopes that adoption of collective agreement will further regulate labor relations and would open the way for dialogue with management on all issues.