We are posting this appeal from the Ukrainian Solidarity Campaign (https://ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org/2016/11/06/urgent-appeal-for-solidarity-from-rail-workers-union-of-ukraine/).
The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign is calling on our affiliates and the Labour Movement to provide solidarity to the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine (VPZU) who are in struggle at the Kurenivsky trolleybus depot in Kyiv. The VPZU which is an independent trade union is fighting for basic trade union rights against an anti-union employer. Please send letters of protest to the Mayor of Kyiv and republish this appeal.
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We are appealing to you in connection with the outrageous pressure being applied to the local branch of the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine (VPZU) at the Kurenivsky trolleybus depot of Kyivpastrans Communal Enterprise. We ask you to start an international solidarity campaign sending letters of solidarity with the trade union to V V Klychko, head of Kyiv City Council and to V B Groysman, Prime Minister of Ukraine. (I would be grateful if copies of such letters were sent to the central office of the Free Trade Union of Railway Workers of Ukraine).
Union locals of the VPZU which are active today across Kyyivpastrans, and especially those at the autobus and trolleybus depots, were formed during the wave of democratization that followed Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity in 2014. The VPZU union local at the Kurenivsky trolleybus depot was formed at the beginning of this year.V.V.Kozelesky
However, the depot’s management has refused to recognize the union, and instead is discriminating against workers there on the basis of their membership in the union, putting pressure on its members and forcing several dozen of them already to sign notices of resignation from the union. The head of the enterprise has launched a campaign of defamation and repression against the leaders and activists of the union.
We have had no results at all from our frequent appeals to the administration of the enterprise and to the Kyiv city authorities that own it. We are left with no other choice but to start a campaign of protest and to turn to you with a request that you start an international campaign of solidarity with the struggle of the workers at the Kyiv pastrans Communal Enterprise.
With respect,
V V Kozelsky
Head VPZU
(Translation by Marko Bojcun)
PLEASE SEND LETTERS OF PROTEST TO THE KYIV MAYOR VITALY KLITSCHKO:
Mayor Klitschko:
- End the discrimination, bullying and intimidation of trade union members at Kurynivska trolleybus depot ” Kyivpastrans
- End the suspension of the trade union members of in VPZU at Kurynivska depot
- Immediately recognise the union VPZU and fulfill their obligations under the law to create normal working conditions for trade unions.
- Stop pressure on members of independent trade unions, to return them to the normal working patterns, remove illegal reprimands.
- Dismiss the Director Kurynivska Depot RV Karabchuka and take steps to bring him to justice under the law for discrimination and harassment of trade union members.
Kyiv Mayor V. Klitschko
01044, Kyiv,st. Khreshchatyk, 36
Tel. +m/kievcity.gov.ua
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also see
http://republicancommunist.org/blog/2014/08/25/public-transport-in-ukraine-drivers-are-forgotten/