Baltic- Nordic Trade Union Project 23.1 0 .2008

1. FREE TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION OF LATVIA(LBAS) Baltic- Nordic Trade Union Project 23.10.2008

2. Project members of LBAS: • Trade Union of Commerce (LTDA) • Trade Union of Communication Workers (LSAB) • Latvian Trade Union of Public service and Transport workers (LAKRS) • Industrial Workers Trade Union (LIA) • Trade Union of Employees of State Institutions, Self-governments and Finance Sector (LVPUFDA) • Federation of Trade Unions of Civil Aviation/ Air Baltic

3. TU of Commerce activities in companies Members of Trade Union: ~ 1500 • Increased membership: • Ltd “Rimi Latvia” (Sweden)- 228 new members; • “Rautakesko”- “K-rauta” (Finland)- 4 new members; • Ltd “Stockmann” (Finland)- 4 new members; • Ltd “KG Kutsson” (Sweden)- 9 new members; • Ltd “Maxima Latvia”- 3 new members; • Ltd “Stoller” (Estonia)- 4 new members; • Organised seminars: • Promotion of social dialogue and improvement of trade unionist education, information and consultation- for Ltd “Rimi Latvia” trade unionists and representatives from all over Latvia. In seminar participated also 3 employer representatives. • Rights of trade unionists and employees- seminar for potential Ltd “Stockmann” members.

4. TU of Commerce activities in companies • Informational activities: • Photocopied and distributed informational materials: • Informational brochure about employment rights of Trade Union of Commerce ; • Ltd “Rimi Latvia” informational brochure; • Informational brochures for potential trade unionists of “Stockmann”; • Other activities: • Prepared new collective agreement draft in Ltd “Rimi Latvia” ( Planned to conclude collective agreement till year 2009.) • Negotiations among Maira Muceniece- President of LTDA;“Stockmann” general shop steward from Finland and director of “Stockmann Latvia”. • Initiated cooperation with EWC representative in “Rautakesko”. • Initiated negotiations about possible agreement between Trade Union of Commerce and Latvian Merchant Association, implementing more rights for popularisation of LTDA. • A letter sent to “Maxima Latvia” regarding lack of transparency in company’s salary system. In preparation is a letter to Latvian buyers which will be send out to mass media in case of no answer.

5. TU of Communication Workersactivities in companies Members of Trade Union: ~ 7000 In project involved companies: Organised activities: • Ltd “Lattelecom”15 new members • Ltd“Tele2”company. • Seminar for young trade union activists in companies with Nordic capital. It was held on several topics that are important for new members- - trade union structure; basic operating principles of trade unions, young member involvement in social dialogue. • Visits to organisations to consult members.

6. Latvian Trade Union of Public service and Transport workers (LAKRS) activities in companies In project involved companies: Members of Trade Union: ~ 14 000 Organised activities: • “Cido Group”- (Denmark) – 12 new members; • “Reval Hotel Latvia”- (Nordic capital company) ”- 22 new members; • “Radisson SAS Daugava”- (Sweden); • “Hanzas maiznīcas”- “Vassan & Vassan”- (Finland); • „Fortum Jelgava“- (Finland) - 69 new members; • „Balta“- „Codan“- (Denmark); • „Saiva textile“- „Power konfektion“, „Godske kjoler“, „Nybo Jensen konfektion“. • Seminar- Provision of trade union rights in company- where 15 people from trade unions of companies with Nordic capital participated. Seminar was held on several factors that support strengthening trade unions and improvement of trade union leader work. • Originated informational brochure- “How to protect trade union activists and members from repression.” • Initiated development of informational material for member organisation for Sweden company “Ragn Sells”.

7. Latvian Trade Union of Public service and Transport workers (LAKRS) activities in companies Other activities: • Due to support of EFAT was gained that hotel “Radisson SAS Daugava” trade union leader has been elected in European Wokers Council. • In two companies: joint stock company- “Saiva textile” and “Hanzas maiznīcas” ( Hanza bakeries) collective agreements have been revised and improved.Increased allowance for several family factors and also made an agreement for revision of salaries at least two times per year ( from 7-10% of total salary). • Collective agreement conclusion process in “Radisson SAS Daugava” has started;

8. Industrial Workers Trade Union’s activities in companies In project involved companies: Organised activities: • Seminar- Tendencies of manufacturing branch development in Latvia, where 22 representatives from different companies participated. During seminar was discussed an issue on social dialogue implementation in private owned companies with foreign capital. • Seminar- Positive experience and working methods for new member recruitment. 21 leader of trade unions participated in seminar. • Joint stock company “Lauma Lingerie” ( Nordic company); • Joint stock company “Valmieras Stiklašķiedra” (Germany).

9. Trade Union of Employees of State Institutions, Self-governments and Finance Sector (LVPUFDA) activities in companies Members of Trade Union: ~ 5000 In project involved companies: Organised activities: • Seminar- Social dialogue and employee loyalty with focus in companies with Nordic capital”. • Seminar- Social dialogue and trade union aims in globalization process. • Initiated negotiations with insurance companies with Nordic capital about joining LVPUFDA trade union; • Initiated negotiations with security companies about establishment of trade unions. • “SEB Bank”; • “Swedbank”; • “DnB Nord Bank”.

10. Acivities of Federation of Trade Unions of Civil Aviation/Air Baltic/ Members of Trade Union: ~ 140 “Air Baltic corporation” trade union organised activities: • 3 representatives from trade union attended course on health and safety issues; • Initiated negotiations about rise of salaries; improved collective agreement; • Regardless labour turnover (25-30%) trade union membership has increased; • Organised 8 meetings with members about trade unionist rights in company; • Established new trade union of ticket service agents ( 8 members) • Resumed Air Baltic dispute comitee

11. Our expectations about project continuation • To improve cooperation of Baltic region company trade unions, involved in the project • Maintenance of young trade unionist movement- events; seminars, camps etc. • International cooperation in signing cooperative agreements. • To establish new trade unions in companies that have trade unions in Baltics; • Actual issues for next trade union seminars: • How to improve social dialogue at sectoral level; • How to convince employers about social dialogue necessity; • How to involve new members and strengthen existing trade union; • Health and safety issues in companies.

12. Thank You for Your attention !