On November 13th, 2007 at 8 a.m. at instigation of the primary trade union organization the dockers of the First, Second and Fourth Stevedoring companies of the group JSC “Sea Port of Saint-Petersburg” have started a strike.
Until now the trade union committee hasn’t provided the economic report substantiating the demanded increase of the basic salaries and wage rates by 30%.
Administration of the group of companies considers such approach of the trade union committee as destructive and populist. This strike imposed by the trade union committee will affect first of all ordinary workers. Realizing that the decrease of the port turnover is inevitable, administration however doesn’t have any intentions to fulfill the groundless demands supported by provocative actions.
Reference: During pre-election period left-wing radical and extremist movements have become especially active in Russia putting serious pressure on working class through the trade union committees of the companies. These tendencies were noted with regard to many companies in Russia, especially in Saint-Petersburg. One can easily trace a centralized control of strike actions and civil commotions.
For the last years average monthly salary in the group of companies JSC “Sea Port of Saint-Petersburg grew from 21 614 rubles in 2005 to 26 152 rubles in 2006 and 26939 rubles for 9 months of 2007. Average salaries of the dockers (main category of workers) for the same period amounted to 26 990 rub. in 2005, 32 118 rub. in 2006 and 33 196 rub. for 9 months of 2007.
By the decree of the general director of JSC “Sea Port SPb” the salaries of the several categories of the port workers were raised from October 1st, 2007. The increase of the salaries with regard to the rest of the categories was planned for the beginning of 2008. The strike, which was started by the trade union committee, may put off the planned increase of the salaries for the later period of time.
Director’s office on public relations
