“Union membership is the best protection”

From 25th to 27th of September in port of Nakhodka, Seafarers' Union of Russia (SUR) was holding meetings with crew members of three tankers: “Igrim” (flag of Russia, IMO 7413476), “Immanuil” (flag of Russia, IMO 9056571) and “Glorystar” (flag of Sierra-Leone but is changing to Russian flag, IMO 9449651). The main purpose was the verification of implementation the requirements of collective bargaining agreements previously concluded between SUR Far Eastern Territorial Organization (SUR FETO) and the companies “Transoil”, “Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy Shipping Company” and “Nakhodka-Tanker”.

- All Russian seamen working on these vessels are the SUR members. We haven't got any complaint from them concerning working conditions or delay of wage payments. “All the documents are available, too, including the insurance certificates that confirm the financial responsibility of the shipowners to crews”, - says Nikolai Sukhanov, Сhairman of the SUR FETO. - The wages of AB seamen on all vessels exceed 50 000 rubles, masters earn 150 000 each. The terms and conditions of the collective agreement covering these vessels are being fulfilled, and this is the main thing.

The union activists answered all questions asked by seafarers, handed over fresh trade-union newspapers and magazines. It is worth noting that the representatives of shipowners were directly involved in all meetings with crews.

“Such meetings with сrews clearly showed that the collective agreement and union membership are the best protection for seafarers, which secure full observance of their labour and social rights, "says Nikolay Sukhanov.