Preservation of wages, employment and social security – guidelines for the trade union

A general meeting was held in the primary trade union organization of the SUR PJSC Novoship. 40 delegates, who represent the interests of several thousand Novorossiysk’s seafarer gathered for the event, which takes place in the primary every five years. 

The guests of the conference were Oleg Stepanov, Vice-President of PJSC Novoship, Andrey Vasiliev, Head of the Association of Trade Unions of Novorossiysk, Vladimir Zaitsev and Konstantin Zhurba, chairmen of the Boards of veterans of the shipping company. In his welcoming speech Oleg Stepanov noted the high performance of the trade union in a difficult time for the shipping business and wished further successful work.

The delegates heard a report by Nikolay Popov, Chairman of the union organization. He spoke about the current situation and the challenges faced by the Sovcomflot group due to sanctions, including in detail on the transfer of salaries of seafarers in rubles.

«The most important thing on which the work of the trade union should be based is the preservation of wages, employment and social security. Despite the fact that some of the ships were still sold, today we have an agreement in principle with the company that not a single seafarer will be left without a job. This is the most important thing for us», - the chairman stressed.

He also elaborated on the social program for members of the SUR. This includes excursions and tourist trips, gym membership, rental of playgrounds for football and other sports, information support, technical inspection, legal advice, financial assistance in difficult life situations. Nikolay Popov asked the seafarers to be more proactive and actively speak out in order to adjust the further work of the trade union committee.

An important stage of the conference was the election of the governing bodies of the organization for the next five years. Following the results of the vote, the composition of the trade union committee changed as young members of the trade union were included in it. By the way, this trend of «rejuvenation» of the personnel was set by the chairman in previous years, when the active implementation of the youth program of the SUR was declared.

Special attention was paid to this topic. Finalist of the photo contest «I/WE are key employees», 3rd Engineer Dmitry Kostenko was awarded memorable gifts for participation. The seafarer sent magnificent pictures to the competition, which the jury recognized as one of the best. The competition, we recall, took place last year, but by the time the laureates were awarded, Dmitry went on voyage, which, due to the current situation, lasted longer than usual. Cadets-members of the SUR also took an active part in the competition. Today, more than 300 cadets of the Maritime Academy named after Adm. F. F. Ushakov are the members of the trade union. Many consciously, some hoping for help in finding an internship. So, delegate Igor Volostnov, a third–year student of Marine Academy, joined the SUR quite recently, and the conference is an opportunity for him to learn about the work of the trade union «firsthand». The 2nd Engieer Ilya Ekshiyan has been in the ranks of the SUR for many years. «Then a lot of information about «problematic» employers appeared in the press in one country and worldwide, lots of crews were left without wages. I thought that if something like this happens in my life, I will be able to turn to the trade union for help, and joined the SUR»,- he explained.

The delegates recognized the work of the primary trade union organization of PJSC Novoship of the SUR as satisfactory and re-elected Nikolay Popov for the new reporting period.

Source: Southern Territorial Organization of SUR