The International and European Transport Workers’ Federations supported our trade union in defending the right of Ukrainian railway workers to “health improvement” in compliance with the terms of collective agreements and urgently appealed to the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” on this issue
In official appeals signed by the secretaries general of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, Stephen Cotton (headquartered in London) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation, Libya Speer (headquartered in Brussels), the international organizations call on the Ukrainian authorities and the Supervisory Board of Ukrzaliznytsia to respect the rights of employees set out in collective bargaining agreements.
As Ukraine seeks to join the European Union, it is important to adhere to the principles of social dialogue and collective bargaining, as enshrined in the EU social legislation, the letters emphasize. “The EU attaches great importance to social justice, workers’ rights and respect for collective bargaining agreements. This is enshrined in the European Social Charter and supported by the conventions of the International Labor Organization.
Respect for these principles is not only a matter of compliance with international standards, but also a critical step towards harmonizing Ukraine’s social policy with EU policy,” explain transport colleagues.
The ITF and ETF in support of Ukrainian railroad workers also note that they understand the difficult situation our country has found itself in during the war. And it is the railroad workers who play a crucial role in maintaining Ukraine’s infrastructure today.
We stand in full solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and are ready to offer any assistance necessary to restore workers’ rights,” international organizations announced their support to the Trade Union of Railway and Transport Builders of Ukraine.
