To face the future with optimism

The Kaliningrad Regional (Territorial) Public Organization of the Seafarers' Union of Russia summed up the results of its work over the past year. The membership of two Primary Organizations that are part of the KR(T)PO SUR, and the SUR's shop organization of cadets and teachers, established on the basis of the Baltic Fishing Fleet State Academy (BFFSA) are almost 5,000 people. In 2023 alone, 54 new members joined SUR.

According to Chairman of the KR(T)PO SUR Lyudmila Izmalkova, the trade union was actively involved in social and legal awareness of cadets of maritime educational institutions, including arrangement of regular tours of vessels of the Atlantic Fleet Base - a branch of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences, which crews have been enjoying the working conditions and benefits stipulated in SUR collective agreements for many years.

By the way, this year the collective agreement with Atlantic Fleet Base, a branch of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences, has been extended for two years.

The Chairman of the shop union at BFFS of the SUR Kaliningrad Primary Organization “Zashchita”  joined the SUR Youth Council. Cadets who are the SUR members and who are actively engaged in trade union activities were awarded certificates of honor and gifts. Those of them who are able to get high grades, got a trade union scholarship.

Lyudmila Izmalkova noted that the trade union closely monitored innovations and changes in Russian legislation: when necessary, it organized subject conferences for seafarers, crewing agents and shipowners.

All SUR member applied to the union received qualified legal assistance. “We assisted seafarers to repatriate in time, to exercise a right to refuse to work in high-risk areas, and receive wages on time with all the required allowances,” she added.

Last year, more than 20 seafarers were awarded compensation for early termination of contracts through the SUR's intervention. 

In addition, the Union assisted seafarers injured or got sick during the voyage to collect documents to receive payments from shipowners and insurance companies. Besides, KR(T)PO SUR provided financial assistance to its members faced with difficulties. Also, the seafarers and their family members had the opportunity to get free legal advice or consult a professional psychologist.

The SUR representatives inspected working and living conditions of the crews of Russian and foreign ships at the port of Kaliningrad, and arranged meetings at the request of the seafarers.

Over the past year, KR(T)PO SUR hold several  working meeting with representatives of crewing companies, and established contacts with new shipowners of the Kaliningrad region. Negotiations are currently ongoing with these companies to conclude collective agreements.

The maritime fleet workers appreciate the Union's activity. Thus, the trade union organization received gratitude from the crew members of the fishing vessel, whom KR(T)PO SUR assisted to return home and receive delayed for three months wages.

Lyudmila Izmalkova concludes: “The Kaliningrad regional organization of SUR will continue to assist seafarers in word and deed, and face the future with optimism only.”

Photo by A.Savin, Wikipedia